No fatalities

YAKOVLEV YAK-50 accident at Watsonville, CA, 20 Sept 2024

Watsonville, CA, United States

On September 20, 2024, a YAKOVLEV YAK-50 was involved in an aviation accident near Watsonville, CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The Yak-50 pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from another airplane while taxiing and maneuvering. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inattention due to a distraction inside the cockpit. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

The Yak-50 pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from another airplane while taxiing and maneuvering. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inattention due to a distraction inside the cockpit.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

PilotAbility to respond/compensate

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 20 Sept 2024 YAKOVLEV YAK-50 accident near Watsonville, CA?

The Yak-50 pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from another airplane while taxiing and maneuvering. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inattention due to a distraction inside the cockpit.

Were there any fatalities in the 20 Sept 2024 YAKOVLEV YAK-50 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 20 Sept 2024 involved a YAKOVLEV YAK-50, at Watsonville, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The Yak-50 pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from another airplane while taxiing and maneuvering. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inattention due to a distraction inside the cockpit.