1961 Cessna 185
Single Engine Piston
Aircraft Details
Seller reportedAvionics & Equipment
IFRGarmin GPS 175/ GNX 375 ADSB In/Out G5 installed Lynx Transponder FL20XD Fuel computer CGR-30P engine analyzer New Artex 406 ELT with remote control Autopilot
Description
Beautiful well maintained, hangared and upgraded Cessna 185. Recent completed overhaul firewall forward. Nice interior and baggage area. No corrosion. Always Hangared! Will 4 place intercom, autopilot and exact fuel remaining country will be relaxing. Short field performance in rough terrain no problem. I'm 76, have 3 birds and need to sell. Your prebuy will impress you on this bird!
Engine
TSFOH 110 hrs engine Continental Factory Overhaul TSMOH 110 hrs Prop and Governor Propeller Governor 110 hrs since overhaul Recent Alternator and voltage regulator replaced CGR-30P engine analyzer FL20XD Fuel computer Lifetime silicone fireproof hoses
Propeller
Airtex ELT Cleveland 6 bolt wheels Cleveland Brakes Replaced cockpit seat rails and rollers with Mcfarlane parts Scott 3450 Tailwheel Elevators recently overhauled by Airframe Components Dual USB charging port Paint and Interior at least an 8!
Interior
Interior is an 8 4 place intercom Replaced cockpit seat rails and rollers with Mcfarlane parts Dual USB charging port
Description and equipment details provided by the seller. AeroGurus does not verify seller-provided information.
Price Comparison 1 active offer
| Source | Price | Location | Listed | Days on Market | Status | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
James Sells
trade-a-plane.com
|
$265,000
|
Peachtree Cty, GA | May 19, 2026 | — | Active |
Estimate Monthly Payment
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AeroGurus Data & Analysis
Independent data from FAA, NTSB, and market analysis
About This Cessna 185
This 1961 Cessna 185 (N9998X) is a 6-seat single engine piston with 4,440 hours on the airframe. There are currently 17 185 aircraft listed for sale with asking prices ranging from $175,000 to $384,319. This aircraft is priced above the market average at $265,000.
The 185 cruises at 145 kts (269 km/h) with a range of 720 nm (1,333 km) — ideal for short hops and local flights. Service ceiling of 17,150 ft allows operation above most weather.
Operating costs: Fuel burn is 15.5 GPH (59 L/h), which at current Jet-A prices (~$5.50/gal) means approximately $85/hr in fuel alone. Total variable cost including maintenance reserves is approximately $175/hr. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, crew, annual inspection) average $22,000. With 4,440 hours on the airframe, this aircraft has exceeded TBO (2,000 hrs) — verify engine status and overhaul reserve.
NTSB records show 0 incidents for this airframe — a clean safety record. There are 9 airworthiness directives applicable to this aircraft type — review AD compliance carefully before purchase. Mechanics have filed 10 service difficulty reports for this type — common maintenance items to discuss during pre-buy.
Pre-Purchase Checklist
Cessna 185 — Model Specs
Model specificationStandard specs for this model. Actual aircraft may differ.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
AeroGurus estimateCESSNA 185
AeroGurus estimates based on industry averages for the CESSNA 185. Actual costs vary by location, usage, maintenance history, and configuration. Not a financial quote.
Ownership & Registration
FAA registration data pending for N9998X.
Location & Ownership
Title Status
No FAA title records
Available for US-registered aircraft only
Source: FAA Aircraft Registry, FAA Civil Aviation Registry (DocIndex). Title data may be delayed. Always verify with an aviation attorney before purchase.
Safety Record
NTSB safety data coming soon.
We'll check N9998X against the NTSB accident database.
Airworthiness Directives — Cessna 185
ADs are mandatory safety instructions issued by the FAA. 9 recent ADs found for this aircraft type.
Cessna Aircraft Company 120, 140, 140A, 150, F150, 170, 172, F172, FR172, P172D, 175, 177, 180, 182, 185, A185E, 190, 195, 206, P206, U206, TP206, TU206, 207, T207, 210, T210, 336, 337, and T337 Series Airplanes
View full AD →Cessna Aircraft Company Models 150, 152, 170, 172, 175, 177, 180, 182, 185, 188, 190, 195, 206, 207, 210, T303, 336, and 337 Airplanes
View full AD →Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) 172, 175, 177, 180, 182, 185, 206, 207, 208, 210, 303, 336, and 337 Series Airplanes
View full AD →Cessna Aircraft Company 172, 175, 180, 182, 185, 206, 207, 208, 210, and 303 Series Airplanes
View full AD →Cessna Aircraft Company 120, 140, 140A, 150, F150, 170, 172, F172, FR172, P172D, 175, 177, 180, 182, 185, A185E, 190, 195, 206, P206, U206, TP206, TU206, 207, T207, 210, T210, 336, 337, and T337 Series Airplanes
View full AD →Cessna Aircraft Company 120, 140, 140A, 150, F150, 170, 172, F172, FR172, P172D, 175, 177, 180, 182, 185, A185E, 190, 195, 206, P206, U206, TP206, TU206, 207, T207, 210, T210, 336, 337, and T337 Series Airplanes
View full AD →Cessna Aircraft Company 150, 152, 172, 177, 180, 182, 185, 188, 206, 207, 210, and 337 Series Airplanes
View full AD →Source: FAA Airworthiness Directives database. Showing most recent ADs for this aircraft type.
Service Difficulty Reports — Cessna 185
SDRs are reports filed by mechanics about problems found during maintenance. 10 recent reports for this aircraft type.
UPON INSPECTION AND CLEANING OF THE ABI 3413-01K TAIL WHEEL FORK ASSY, A CRACK WAS DISCOVERED. PHOTOS UPON REQUEST.
MOUNTED IN THE RT FRONT POSITION, FOUND BROKEN DURING OIL CHANGE.
INSTALLED NEW ACORN WELDING LTD. EXHAUST STACKS AND MUFFLER ON FACTORY NEW IO-550D ENGINE. BOTH EXHAUST STACKS CRACKED WITHIN 60 HOURS; REPLACED BOTH STACKS WITH NEW ACORN STACKS; ONE OF THE NEW STACKS CRACKED (1" HOLE) WITHIN 30 HOURS. REMOVED FRO...
WHILE EXECUTING A WHEEL LANDING ON RWY 29 AT AWO, UPON TOUCH DOWN THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN A GENTLE DRIFT TO THE RIGHT WHICH COULD NOT BE CORRECTED WITH LEFT BRAKE OR LEFT RUDDER. THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO TURN TO THE RIGHT, EXITED THE RUNWAY ONTO THE GRAS...
UPON TAKE-OFF, A CESSNA 185 MADE A LEFT TURN. AT APPROXIMATELY 200 FEET AGL, THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING AND THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED ON A GOLF COURSE. THE PILOT SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. DURING THE INVESTIGATION AND UPON INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT, I D...
THE AIRCRAFT CABIN HEADLINER WAS REMOVED FOR MAINTENANCE. AFTER REMOVAL, SEVERE INTERGRANULAR CORROSION WAS FOUND ON THE CARRY THROUGH SPAR. THIS RENDERED THE SPAR UNAIRWORTHY AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION, IT WAS DISCOVERED ...
DUE TO A DESIGN/MANUFACTURING FLAW IN THE HARTWIG AIRCRAFT "MONARCH PREMIUM FUEL CAPS" INSTALLED ON THIS AIRCRAFT THE CAPS WILL NOT SEAL. THIS IS DUE TO INCORRECT PLACEMENT OF THE FUEL CAP CHAIN RETAINING TAB FABRICATED IN THE FEMALE SECTION OF THE ...
CRACKS WERE DISCOVERED IN BOTH LH AND RH TAILWHEEL STEERING BELLCRANK BRACKETS DURING ROUTINE INSPECTION. PN-0712039-1. THESE BRACKETS HOLD THE BELLCRANK THAT COMBINES THE INPUT FOR AIR RUDDER AND TAIL WHEEL STEERING. CRACKS ORIGINATED IN BOTH BRACKE...
(CAN) WHILE PERFORMING A SCHEDULED INSPECTION, THE PILOT STATED THE VACUUM FLUCTUATED. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED THE SPLINES ON THE VACUUM PUMP HAD FAILED. THE VACUUM PUMP WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW PUMP,AND FUNCTION CHECK WAS CARRIED OUT SATISFACTORY...
(CAN) DURING A SCHEDULED INSPECTION, THE PILOT SEAT BACK CAM WAS NOTICED TO BE LOOSE. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE CAM-SEAT BACK ADJUST ARM WAS BROKEN, MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL REPLACED THE CAM WITH A SERVICEABLE CAM TO RECTIFY THE DEFECT. ALL WOR...
Source: FAA Service Difficulty Reporting System. Shows maintenance issues reported by mechanics for this aircraft type.
