SACRAMENTO, California – A California pilot who admitted to causing a plane crash on purpose is now speaking out, calling his actions a “massive mistake.” Trevor Jacob, the pilot in question, confessed to deliberately crashing his plane and pleading guilty to obstruction. The 30-year-old shared his regret and remorse in an interview with Inside Edition, acknowledging the consequences of his actions.
Jacob’s decision to bail out of the plane and capture the engine failure on camera raised suspicions, leading to a federal investigation. He had posted a 16-minute video on YouTube detailing the crash, but authorities accused him of crashing the plane “to gain online views… [for] financial gain.” In light of the investigation, Jacob returned to the crash site and removed the wreckage with a helicopter, later admitting that it was “poor legal advice” he followed.
As a result, Jacob pleaded guilty to obstruction and is set to serve a six-month prison term. Although the Federal Aviation Administration had revoked his pilot license in 2022, he has since regained it. Reflecting on his experience, Jacob warned against reckless behavior in pursuit of viral videos, emphasizing the importance of being mindful of the consequences.
Jacob’s story serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the legal and personal ramifications of exploiting dangerous situations for internet notoriety. His acknowledgment of the severity of his actions and the subsequent legal repercussions is a reminder of the real-life consequences of pursuing online fame at any cost.