YouTuber Trevor Daniel Jacob crashes aircraft for YouTube views

A 29-year-old YouTuber has admitted to intentionally crashing a plane to gain views on his YouTube channel.

The United States Justice Department announced that Trevor Daniel Jacob has agreed to plead guilty to a federal charge related to the deliberate destruction of the wreckage.

According to a news release from the US Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, Jacob confessed to Federal authorities that he planned the plane crash as a promotional stunt for a wallet featured in one of his videos. Furthermore, he admitted to intentionally obstructing a federal investigation by disposing of the aircraft’s wreckage.

The ill-fated flight took place on November 24, 2021, when Jacob departed from Lompoc City Airport in Santa Barbara County.

However, he never intended to land the aircraft, as revealed in the plea agreement. His plan was to eject himself from the plane mid-flight, capturing the dramatic descent and crash on video while parachuting safely to the ground.

In preparation for the stunt, Jacob strategically placed multiple cameras within the aircraft and equipped himself with a parachute, video camera, and selfie stick.

Approximately 35 minutes after takeoff, while flying over the Los Padres National Forest near Santa Maria, he executed his plan by ejecting from the airplane and recording himself parachuting to the ground.

Following the parachute landing, Trevor Daniel Jacob hiked to the crash site and retrieved the video footage of the crash. Instead of cooperating fully with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), he deceived authorities by claiming he did not know the location of the crash site.

Two weeks later, he returned to the site with a friend, removed the wreckage, and subsequently destroyed it.

Jacob’s actions came to light when he reported the crash to the NTSB two days after the incident. Despite initially agreeing to disclose the crash site’s location, he deliberately misled the authorities.

The plea agreement cited in the release highlights the YouTuber’s false statements and subsequent disposal of the plane wreckage.

As a result of his admission, Trevor Daniel Jacob has agreed to plead guilty to one count of destruction and concealment with the intent to obstruct a federal investigation. The case serves as a stark reminder of the risks individuals may take to gain attention on social media platforms and the legal consequences that can follow.

The YouTuber’s sentencing is pending, and he will face the appropriate legal repercussions for his actions. The incident raises concerns about the influence of social media on individuals seeking fame and highlights the need for responsible content creation that prioritizes safety and ethical considerations.