YouTuber Trevor Jacob admits to crashing plane for views

A YouTuber who deliberately crashed a plane to gain viewership has pleaded guilty to cleaning up the crash site and obstructing a federal investigation, U.S. prosecutors have said.

Trevor Jacob, 29, posted a video of the plane crash on YouTube in December 2021, implying it was an accident. It has been played more than 2.9 million times so far.

In his plea deal, he said the video was shot as part of a product sponsorship deal.

He could face up to 20 years in prison.

In a statement Thursday, the U.S. Department of Justice said the 29-year-old pilot and skydiver agreed to plead guilty to one felony count of sabotage and cover-up for obstructing federal investigations.

In November 2021, Jacob installed a camera on the plane and left Santa Barbara Airport in California on a solo flight. In addition to his camera, Jacob also brought a parachute and a selfie stick.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California said the man “had no intention of reaching his destination, but planned to exit the plane mid-flight and videotape himself and the plane as it descended and crashed as it parachuted to the ground. was,” he said.

The plane crashed in the Los Padres National Forest 35 minutes after takeoff. He walked to the scene and retrieved the footage of him.

Some YouTube viewers were skeptical of the crash, noting that Jacob had already put on a parachute and had not attempted to land the plane safely.

He reported the crash to the National Transportation Safety Board, which said he was responsible for preserving the wreckage. Jacob later claimed he did not know the location of the scene, according to the plea bargain.

He returned by helicopter, secured the wreckage, removed it, and later destroyed it, the statement said.

Jacob is scheduled to appear in court for the first time in the coming weeks.

His pilot’s license was revoked last year.

A lawyer for Jacob did not respond to the BBC’s request for comment.