Autopilot Failure

American Pilot Detained in Antarctica After Unapproved Flight, Fundraising for Cancer Research

Ethan Guo, a 19-year-old pilot with dual U.S.-Chinese citizenship, is currently at the center of a rather extraordinary, and now problematic, story. He’s been detained by Chilean authorities in Antarctica, a situation stemming from an unauthorized deviation in his flight plan. This deviation occurred after he took off from Punta Arenas. He altered his course and landed at the Teniente Marsh airfield on King George Island without the required prior approval.

The unauthorized change in his flight path initiated search protocols, requiring the deployment of Chilean state resources. This raised concerns about operational safety and violated regulations governing Antarctic airspace and legal statutes.… Continue reading

NZ Navy Ship Sinks After Crew Leaves it on Autopilot

A New Zealand military inquiry determined that the HMNZS Manawanui sank due to human error; the crew mistakenly left the autopilot engaged, causing the ship to ground on a reef. The ship, tasked with ocean floor mapping, was lost in October, marking New Zealand’s first naval loss since WWII. Although the 950 tons of diesel fuel onboard initially raised environmental concerns, salvage efforts are underway to prevent a spill. This incident follows the grounding of a U.S. Navy oil ship off Oman, highlighting recent maritime mishaps.

Read More