Cessna pilot agrees to $30k donation and ban after Antarctic landing dispute

“Due to these cascading failures, Mr. Guo requested and received explicit, direct permission to land at the Marsh base from a high-ranking DGAC official via WhatsApp, an authorization that was subsequently confirmed by the base’s air traffic controller," said Guo's defense team.

On Monday, a judge approved an agreement between Guo’s legal team and prosecutors. Under this deal, charges were dropped on the condition that he donates $30,000 to a children’s cancer foundation within 30 days. He must also leave Chilean territory as soon as possible and is banned from returning for three years.

The teen pilot commented on the ruling: “a direct result of the prosecutor’s refusal to acknowledge this clear evidence,” referencing what his defense described as prior authorizations for landing in Antarctica. He remains at the Chilean Air Force base where he landed over six weeks ago and is waiting for transport back to mainland South America.

Guo’s extended stay has delayed his record-setting attempt while raising funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Since leaving Memphis in 2024, he has visited nearly 60 countries and raised more than $100,000 toward his goal of collecting $1 million for charity.

The future of Guo's Cessna 182Q is uncertain due to ongoing poor weather grounding flights out of Antarctica. Prosecutors have questioned whether his plane meets technical standards required for departure from the continent; it may need dismantling and shipping instead of flying out. “That plane could leave Antarctica in pieces. But I don’t see it flying,” said prosecutor Cristián Crisosto.

The Cessna 182Q model was introduced in the late 1970s with a Continental O-470-U engine and typically cruises at about 140 knots with a service ceiling near 18,000 feet. While suitable for general aviation or cross-country flights in temperate regions, it lacks specialized equipment needed for Antarctic operations—such as enhanced range capability or advanced ice protection systems—typically found on modified aircraft like the Basler BT-67 or DHC-6 Twin Otter designed specifically for polar environments.