In a shocking turn of events, popular YouTuber Trevor Jacob, known for his daring stunts and adventurous content, has agreed to plead guilty to obstructing a federal investigation.
The US Department of Justice revealed that Jacob intentionally destroyed the wreckage of a small plane he crashed in California’s Los Padres national forest in 2021, all in a calculated attempt to generate a boost in views and attention.
According to the US attorney’s office statement, the 29-year-old YouTuber could face up to 20 years in federal prison for his actions.
The incident unfolded when Jacob, after parachuting out of the plane just before it crashed, uploaded a video to YouTube documenting the entire event.
Initially, he claimed that the crash was caused by engine failure and professed ignorance about the location of the wreckage. However, aviation experts and federal authorities grew suspicious of his account.
Upon investigation, it was discovered that Jacob, an experienced pilot and skydiver, had premeditated the crash as part of a staged spectacle.
Prior to taking off, he strategically mounted multiple video cameras on the plane and equipped himself with a parachute, video camera, and selfie stick.
Approximately 35 minutes into the flight, Jacob leaped from the aircraft, recording the dramatic plunge as it crashed into the dry brush below. After safely reaching the ground, he hiked to the crash site and retrieved the footage.
In an elaborate cover-up, Jacob deceived the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) by claiming ignorance about the wreckage’s location.
However, two days later, he and a friend flew to the crash site and towed the destroyed plane to Santa Barbara county.
Over several days, Jacob systematically destroyed various sections of the aircraft, disposing of the parts in trash cans around the airport and other locations.
This is the full video here !pic.twitter.com/FHILbgGACB
— راشد.| تطبيق كوبونك (@i2i2bi_) May 13, 2023
His aim was to mislead investigators and divert attention from his deliberate actions.
Jacob’s deceitful exploits didn’t end there. On December 23, 2021, he uploaded a video titled “I Crashed My Plane” to YouTube, which garnered nearly 3 million views.
However, as investigators uncovered his lies and obstructive behavior, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) took swift action and revoked Jacob’s pilot license in April.
