Ethan Guo, a 19-year-old American pilot and social media sensation, recently found himself in a tight spot while flying in pursuit of a record to land on all seven continents. After successfully flying from Punta Arenas, Chile, Guo touched down on King George Island, located off the coast of Antarctica, without prior authorization and was subsequently detained by Chilean authorities.

Guo, who has captured the attention of over 1.3 million Instagram followers and 329,000 TikTok fans, embarked on this ambitious journey with dreams of raising $1 million for cancer research. He has held a pilot’s license since he was 17 years old and initially planned to return directly to Punta Arenas after taking off.

Now, however, authorities have allowed him to remain on the island, pending legal proceedings concerning his unauthorized landing. Though free to roam, he must stay in Chile until the case against him is resolved. Antarctica was the only continent Guo had yet to land on, making this trip particularly significant in his global flying endeavor. As he awaits the outcome, the adventure of this teenage aviator has taken an unexpected twist, showcasing both the thrill and challenges of unconventional exploration.