How did teen influencer Ethan Guo end up stranded in Antarctica for two months? Reasons explored 

American teen influencer Ethan Guo is stranded in Antarctica. Reports by AP News mention that he has been stuck there since June 2025. He flew his small plane without permission, and that created a legal mess. He hoped to be the youngest person to fly solo to all seven continents while raising money for childhood cancer research.

Reports by Daily Beast further state that until now, Ethan Guo has not been able to leave, and his plane is grounded. There are harsh winter weather conditions, and authorities claim that his plane is not fit to fly. He faced charges for lying about his flight plan and landing without permission, but later, a judge dropped the charges after he agreed to a deal. He must donate $30,000 to a children’s cancer foundation and leave Chile when the weather allows. As of now, it is decided that he cannot return there for three years.

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19-year-old pilot Ethan Guo must pay $30,000 to a charity after illegally landing in Antarctica​He was detained for six weeks while trying to fly solo to all seven continents to raise $1M for cancer research

Ethan Guo's unauthorized landing and legal deal

The reports by The Independent state that Ethan Guo filed a flight plan saying he would only fly over Punta Arenas, Chile. Instead, he kept going south and landed in Antarctica at a Chilean military base on King George Island. That base is in territory Chile claims. He is facing major trouble, mostly because of this unauthorized landing.

Reports by AP News further mentioned that on June 29, 2025, prosecutors charged him with giving false flight plan information and landing without permission. These are violations of the Chilean Aeronautical Code and possibly international rules for Antarctica. The judge dropped the charges after Guo and prosecutors made a deal, which was to donate $30,000 for a children's cancer centre, pay for his plane’s care and his stay, and finally, leave Chile when possible. He also must stay away from Chile for three years. Guo said he felt “relieved by the outcome.”

Why is Ethan Guo still stuck?

Since the deal, Ethan Guo has stayed at the military base in Antarctica. He was not forced to stay, but he had to stay because he could not fly back home. The weather is very severe in the southern winter, and there were no flights available.

Reports by AP News state that Chilean prosecutor Cristián Crisoto says his Cessna 182Q plane "does not have the capabilities to make a flight." They did not give more details. Guo says he and his lawyer are working to see if he can fly it. He said,

"I remain in Antarctica awaiting approval for my departure flight. I sincerely hope they give it to me soon so that I and my plane can continue with my original mission."

He is responsible for the costs of his stay and his plane’s security. He must also pay for his return travel.

In short, Ethan Guo is stuck in Antarctica because he flew there without the right permission and then faced legal action. A deal ended the charges, but winter weather and his plane’s condition still prevent him from leaving. He hopes to continue his mission once he gets approval to fly his plane out.

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