Trevor Daniel Jacob agreed to plead guilty to obstructing a federal investigation by destroying the wreckage of an airplane that he intentionally crashed in Santa Barbara County for a YouTube video. Jacob is shown above after jumping out of his plane.
An Olympic snowboarder who deliberately crashed his single-propeller plane on a flight from Lompoc to Mammoth Lakes to gain viewers for his YouTube channel was sentenced to six months in federal prison for obstruction of justice.
Trevor Jacob , 30, of Lompoc, pleaded guilty to one count of “destruction and concealment with the intent to obstruct a federal investigation” on June 30, admitting to destroying the wreckage of an airplane he intentionally crashed as a stunt to bolster his social media profile, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Central District of California.
An experienced pilot, Jacob said he planned to fly solo on Nov. 24, 2021, from Lompoc City Airport to Mammoth Lakes. Investigators said Jacob never intended to reach his destination but instead planned to eject himself during the flight and record himself parachuting to the ground as his plane descended and crashed.
He documented the ordeal and later uploaded the video titled “I Crashed My Airplane” to YouTube. The footage drew the ire of commenters and social media, reaching 3 million views before Jacob set the video to private.
Around three minutes into the video, while flying above Los Padres National Forest, the plane’s propeller stopped. Jacobs opened the door while shouting expletives and saying his engine was out. He then ejected from the airplane and recorded his descent to the ground.
Before the flight, Jacob mounted several cameras on the airplane — one pointed at the propeller— and equipped himself with a parachute, video camera and selfie stick. He was able to record the aircraft’s crash into dry brush in the forest. After safely parachuting, he hiked to the wreckage and recovered data containing the recording of the flight and crash.
Two days later, Jacob informed the National Transportation Safety Board about the crash, prompting an investigation by the board, which notified Jacob that he was responsible for preserving the wreckage for further examination. Three days later, the Federal Aviation Administration launched an investigation.
In the weeks following the plane crash, Jacob lied to investigators about not knowing the wreckage’s location. But on Dec. 10, 2021, Jacob and a friend flew by helicopter to the site, where the plane was secured and carried the remains to Santa Barbara County.
Jacob drove back to Lompoc City Airport with the remnants in his possession in an attempt to obstruct federal investigations, according to investigators. Jacob proceeded to unload the plane in a hanger, cutting up and destroying evidence over several days and placing the parts into trash bins at the airport, investigators said.
“It appears that [Jacob] exercised exceptionally poor judgment in committing this offense,” prosecutors argued in a sentencing memorandum. “[Jacob] most likely committed this offense to generate social media and news coverage for himself and to obtain financial gain. Nevertheless, this type of ‘daredevil’ conduct cannot be tolerated.”
branzalia on December 5th, 2023 at 02:37 UTC »
What I found interesting about this is how quickly and thoroughly the aviation community picked this apart. It wasn't two or three things that were suspect but more than a dozen.
This guy thought he had it all covered and loose ends tied up. What he didn't count on were the people who have been flying 2x as long as this guy has been alive watching the video frame by frame and yelling "BOGUS!" repeatedly. He also didn't count on the NTSB not putting up with a bunch of crap.
Look up some of the debunking videos. They're very thorough.
TheSchlaf on December 5th, 2023 at 01:54 UTC »
An Olympic snowboarder who deliberately crashed his single-propeller plane on a flight from Lompoc to Mammoth Lakes to gain viewers for his YouTube channel was sentenced to six months in federal prison for obstruction of justice.
Trevor Jacob, 30, of Lompoc, pleaded guilty to one count of “destruction and concealment with the intent to obstruct a federal investigation” on June 30, admitting to destroying the wreckage of an airplane he intentionally crashed as a stunt to bolster his social media profile, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Central District of California.
An experienced pilot, Jacob said he planned to fly solo on Nov. 24, 2021, from Lompoc City Airport to Mammoth Lakes. Investigators said Jacob never intended to reach his destination but instead planned to eject himself during the flight and record himself parachuting to the ground as his plane descended and crashed.
He documented the ordeal and later uploaded the video titled “I Crashed My Airplane” to YouTube. The footage drew the ire of commenters and social media, reaching 3 million views before Jacob set the video to private.
Around three minutes into the video, while flying above Los Padres National Forest, the plane’s propeller stopped. Jacobs opened the door while shouting expletives and saying his engine was out. He then ejected from the airplane and recorded his descent to the ground.
HIGHLAND, CA - AUGUST 18, 2021: San Bernardino Police Officers huddle over the hood of a patrol vehicle near the scene where two San Bernardino Police Officers were wounded in a shootout with a suspect who was allegedly involved in shooting a San Bernardino County Sheriff Deputy the day before on August 18, 2021 in Highland, California. The suspect died at the scene.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
CALIFORNIA
TikTok video of San Bernardino arrest shows punches, knees to the face; cop under investigation
Nov. 30, 2023
Before the flight, Jacob mounted several cameras on the airplane — one pointed at the propeller— and equipped himself with a parachute, video camera and selfie stick. He was able to record the aircraft’s crash into dry brush in the forest. After safely parachuting, he hiked to the wreckage and recovered data containing the recording of the flight and crash.
Two days later, Jacob informed the National Transportation Safety Board about the crash, prompting an investigation by the board, which notified Jacob that he was responsible for preserving the wreckage for further examination. Three days later, the Federal Aviation Administration launched an investigation.
In the weeks following the plane crash, Jacob lied to investigators about not knowing the wreckage’s location. But on Dec. 10, 2021, Jacob and a friend flew by helicopter to the site, where the plane was secured and carried the remains to Santa Barbara County.
Jacob drove back to Lompoc City Airport with the remnants in his possession in an attempt to obstruct federal investigations, according to investigators. Jacob proceeded to unload the plane in a hanger, cutting up and destroying evidence over several days and placing the parts into trash bins at the airport, investigators said.
“It appears that [Jacob] exercised exceptionally poor judgment in committing this offense,” prosecutors argued in a sentencing memorandum. “[Jacob] most likely committed this offense to generate social media and news coverage for himself and to obtain financial gain. Nevertheless, this type of ‘daredevil’ conduct cannot be tolerated.”
Airmaxx23 on December 5th, 2023 at 01:50 UTC »
He got 6 months in Federal prison.