By Aaron Miller-
A California-based YouTuber and experienced pilot, Trevor Daniel Jacob, 30, has been sentenced to six months in jail for deliberately crashing his small plane and obstructing a federal investigation.
Jacob, hailing from Lompoc, California, was convicted for his role in destroying the wreckage after the crash, hindering a federal investigation, according to the US Justice Department.
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His actions were part of a stunt that unfolded in 2021, culminating in a video titled “I Crashed My Airplane,” which he uploaded a month after the incident.
The video, showcasing the plane’s descent and Jacob parachuting to the ground, has garnered more than four million views on YouTube.
The pilot, known for his skydiving exploits, took off on a solo flight from an airport in Lompoc in a Taylorcraft BL-65, supposedly heading for Mammoth Lakes, California. However, after just 35 minutes of flight, Jacob exited the plane mid-air and captured the crash on camera.
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The case took a dark turn as Jacob obstructed the investigation by removing footage from onboard cameras at the crash site.
According to the US government, he lied to investigators about the crash site’s location, claiming ignorance.
Subsequently, Jacob and an accomplice flew to the site in a helicopter, retrieved the wreckage, and transported it to a trailer attached to his truck. The remains were later dismantled and disposed of in bins.
The plea agreement revealed that Jacob had a sponsorship deal to promote a company’s product in a video, and he never intended to complete the flight that day.
The Justice Department highlighted that Jacob initially misled investigators about the crash and his responsibility to preserve the wreckage.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revoked Jacob’s pilot license in April 2022, citing a “demonstrated lack of care, judgment, and responsibility.” Despite this, a recent video on Jacob’s YouTube channel claims he has regained his pilot’s license.
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