1971 Cessna 185E
Single Engine Piston
Aircraft Details
Seller reportedAvionics & Equipment
King KX155 Nav/Com Narco Com 810 Com Bendix/King KT76A transponder JPI EGT-701 engine monitor Digital Tach/RPM gauge Digital Oil PSI/Temp Garmin GPSmap 196
Description
This 1971 Cessna has 3175 total airframe time, the IO520 engine has 1260 total engine hours since overhaul. The engine is approved for 300HP for 5 min, 285HP continuous use. The freshly overhauled(2025) MT Composite Propellor makes this thing a backcountry machine. This airplane also has every mod imaginable. Extended Baggage, Belly Pod, Horton Stol Kit and VGs, Monarch Solid fuel tanks with Aux Tanks (98 Gallons Total), Fold up Rear Seats(massive cargo area), Shoulder Harnesses, Gami Injectors, JPI EGT-701 engine monitor. Complete Logs, ADs up to date, No Damage History
Engine
MT 2 blade Composite Prop Freshly overhauled 4/25 300HP for 5 minutes, 285HP continuous power Gami Injectors
Propeller
3175 Airframe hours Has float mounts Large tires Paint 6/10 Horton Stol Kit, leading edge, Fences, VGs Belly Cargo Pod Monarch Fuel Tanks (No Bladders) 98 Gallon Fuel Capacity
Interior
Exterior paint 6/10 Interior is 7/10 Carpet Floor Rear seats are foldup making a massive cargo area Extended baggage Shoulder Harnesses
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Willie Hege
trade-a-plane.com
|
$310,000
|
Shippensburg, PA | Jun 02, 2026 | — | Active |
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AeroGurus Data & Analysis
Independent data from FAA, NTSB, and market analysis
About This Cessna 185E
This 1971 Cessna 185E (N70071) is a 6-seat single engine piston with 3,175 hours on the airframe. There are currently 5 185E aircraft listed for sale with asking prices ranging from $185,000 to $335,000. This aircraft is priced above the market average at $310,000.
The 185E 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 3,175 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 3 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 185E — 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 N70071.
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 N70071 against the NTSB accident database.
Airworthiness Directives — Cessna 185E
ADs are mandatory safety instructions issued by the FAA. 3 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 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 →Source: FAA Airworthiness Directives database. Showing most recent ADs for this aircraft type.
Service Difficulty Reports — Cessna 185E
SDRs are reports filed by mechanics about problems found during maintenance. 10 recent reports for this aircraft type.
(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...
(CAN) WHILE PERFORMING A SCHEDULED INSPECTION, A CRACK WAS NOTICED ON THE RUDDER TORQUE TUBE ATTACHMENT ARM, THE ARM WHICH CONNECTS THE RUDDER CABLE TO THE RUDDER TQ TUBE. THE ATTACHMENT ARM WAS CRACKED WHERE IT IS WELDED TO THE RUDDER TORQUE TUBE, T...
(CAN) DURING A SCHEDULED INSPECTION, THE NR 6 CYLINDER FORWARD UPPER THROUGH STUD NUT WAS FOUND SPLIT. THE NUT WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW NUT, PN SA652541, BN 143819, AND TORQUE TO THE CORRECT VALUE IAW THE APPLICABLE MM.
(CAN) DURING A ROUTINE 100 HOUR INSPECTION, THE FUEL METERING ROD AND LINK ASSEMBLY WAS FOUND EXCESSIVELY WORN. THE METERING ROD AND LINK ASSY WERE REPLACED WITH A SERVICEABLE ROD ASSY TO RECTIFY THE DEFECT. PART TT 677.7 HRS (TC# 20140908019)
(CAN) UPON REMOVING ACFT FROM WATER FOR WINTER STORAGE, ACFT ENGINE WAS INHIBITED/SCREEN CHECKED. COMPRESSIONS OF ALL CYLINDER WERE CHECKED, CYLINDER NR 1 WAS CRACKED SEPARATING BETWEEN COOLING FINS ON HEAD. CYLINDER 2, 4, 6 WERE CRACKED BETWEEN TO...
(CAN) IMPULSE COUPLING CAM CRACKED AT KEYWAY, FOUND EXCESSIVE ANTISEIZE AND EXCESSIVE RETAINER NUT TORQUE AT FACTORY ASSY, BOTH CAPACITOR O-RING SEALS ROTTED BY OZONE (3-NEW NEEDLE BEARING CAME WITH LIGHT WHITE GRERASE WHICH ON 1ST 100HRS INSPECTI...
(CAN) DURING REASSEMBLY AFTER REPAIR, THE LT MAIN GEAR SADDLE WAS FOUND TO HAVE CORROSION ON LOWER FORWARD EDGE. UPON A CLOSER INSPECTION OF THE AREA, A STRESS CRACK WAS DISCOVERED UNDER THE CORROSION. THE GEAR SADDLE WAS R & R WITH NEW TO RECTIFY ...
(CAN) PROPELLER LEAKING RED DYE. INSPECTION OF PROP FOUND CRACKED HUB.
(CAN) EXHAUST Y PIPE, CRACKED INTERNALLY AT THE JUNCTION OF LT AND RT HAND EXHAUST BANK. IF MATERIAL BREAKS FREE IT WILL GO DIRECTLY INTO THE INLET OF THE TURBO CHARGER. THIS EXHAUST SYS IS MFG AND INSTALLED UNDER STC SE00215DE AND STC SA00214DE.
Source: FAA Service Difficulty Reporting System. Shows maintenance issues reported by mechanics for this aircraft type.
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