Teen pilot raising money to fight cancer arrested after Antarctica landing

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG) – A teenager attempting to set a world flight record and raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis has been arrested after landing in Antarctica.

Ethan Guo, 19, has been accused by Chile of submitting a false flight plan and landing in Antarctica without permission.

According to a post on X by the Magallanes and Chilean Antarctic Prosecutor’s Office, Guo landed without authorization in Antarctic territory and was charged with crimes related to allegedly submitting a false flight plan.

Guo’s attorney reportedly told CNN last Sunday that Guo experienced complications while flying. The outlet reported that the prosecutor’s office had determined that Guo remain in Chilean custody in Antarctica until be was allowed to travel to Chile, where he may remain during an investigation period.

Guo has not provided updates on his whereabouts on Instagram. A message shared to his Stories, however, indicated that he was still detained in Antarctica as of Monday.

Guo was attempting to become the youngest person to fly solo to all seven continents while drumming up donations for research into childhood cancer.

Guo began his quest in Memphis in May of 2024. He has been documenting his journey on Instagram, where he has 1.3M followers.

On Monday, St. Jude said that so far, Ethan had raised more than $100,000 to support its lifesaving mission. 

“While this fundraiser is not officially endorsed or sponsored by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or ALSAC, we are grateful for supporters like Ethan who help ensure that families never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food — because all a family should worry about is helping their child live,” said an ALSAC spokesperson.

When Nexstar’s WREG first met Guo in 2023, he was attempting to become the youngest solo male to travel the world in a light aircraft.

He said he had been working on a pilot’s license since the age of 13 and was inspired by his cousin’s battle with cancer to raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“The money will be going to St. Jude, and St. Jude will be using that money to saving lives. The money will be invested into treatment for patients and to research that would be shared around the world,” Guo said.

Ethan Guo’s “Flight Against Cancer” is hoping to raise $1 million for St. Jude, according to his official site.