1974 Cessna A185F
FOR SALE

1974 Cessna A185F

Single Engine Piston

$395,000
Location Salt Lake City, UT
Total Time 2,498 hrs
Engine SMOH 314 hrs
Seats 6
Serial # 18502356
Reg # N185ME
Engine Continental IO-520-D
ICAO Type C185

Equipment & Features

Seats
6
✓ Clean NTSB ✓ Verified recently

Aircraft Details

Seller reported

Avionics & Equipment

IFR
New panel

including switches and breakers Garmin G3X Garmin G5 Garmin GTN650 Garmin GTR225A Nav/Comm Garmin 345 ADS-B In/Out Garmin AOA Garmin GFC 500 Autopilot Garmin GMA 350C Audio Panel w/ Bluetooth All new wiring

antennas

etc. 6-place intercom (all new wiring) LEMO and dual GA for pilot/co-pilot Garmin GTX 345 GAE12 encoder Garmin Flight Stream 210 AHRS w/ Bluetooth JPI EDM-900 Engine Monitor Pilot and co-pilot USB-C/USB-A charging ports ARTEX ELT345

Description

Avionics / Equipment New panel, including switches and breakers Garmin G3X Garmin G5 Garmin GTN650 Garmin GTR225A Nav/Comm Garmin 345 ADS-B In/Out Garmin AOA Garmin GFC 500 Autopilot Garmin GMA 350C Audio Panel w/ Bluetooth All new wiring, antennas, etc. 6-place intercom (all new wiring) LEMO and dual GA for pilot/co-pilot Garmin GTX 345 GAE12 encoder Garmin Flight Stream 210 AHRS w/ Bluetooth JPI EDM-900 Engine Monitor Pilot and co-pilot USB-C/USB-A charging ports ARTEX ELT345

Engine

IO-550-D (Continental Factory Rebuilt) GAMI Injectors MT Propellor (MTV-9-D) New alternator

Propeller

Airframes Alaska bush tailwheel Paint Interior: 8-9 Selkirk extended baggage (battery moved to the firewall) Selkirk cabin insulation Door stewards BAS Inertia Reel 4-Point Shoulder Harness/Lap Belt System Cleveland wheels and brakes Wheel pants (not installed) Pilot and co-pilot articulating seats Cessna secondary seat stop New Selker Glare Shield LED wing tips 3rd Row Seat (not installed) Glider Tow Hook Tail AD complied with

Description and equipment details provided by the seller. AeroGurus does not verify seller-provided information.

Price Comparison 1 active offer

Source Price Action
Brent Rowser
trade-a-plane.com
$395,000

Estimate Monthly Payment

Cessna A185F loan calculator

AeroGurus

AeroGurus Data & Analysis

Independent data from FAA, NTSB, and market analysis

About This Cessna A185F

This 1974 Cessna A185F (N185ME) is a 6-seat single engine piston with 2,498 hours on the airframe. There are currently 18 A185F aircraft listed for sale with asking prices ranging from $195,500 to $425,000. This aircraft is priced above the market average at $395,000.

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 2,498 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. Mechanics have filed 10 service difficulty reports for this type — common maintenance items to discuss during pre-buy.

Pre-Purchase Checklist

Safety record: 0 NTSB incidents
Airframe: 2,498 hours — verify engine time vs TBO (2,000 hrs)
Budget $232 for pre-purchase inspection

Cessna A185F — Model Specs

Model specification

Standard specs for this model. Actual aircraft may differ.

Seats
6
Max Speed
127 kts (235 km/h)
Max Weight
12,500 lbs (5,670 kg)
Fuel Burn
15.5 GPH (59 L/h)
TBO
2,000 hrs

Estimated Cost of Ownership

AeroGurus estimate

CESSNA A185F

Fuel Burn
15.5 GPH
~$101/hr
Variable Cost
$175/hr
fuel + mx + reserves
Annual Fixed
$22,000/yr
hangar + insurance + annual
Engine Overhaul
$35,000
every 2,000 hrs

AeroGurus estimates based on industry averages for the CESSNA A185F. Actual costs vary by location, usage, maintenance history, and configuration. Not a financial quote.

Ownership & Registration

FAA registration data pending for N185ME.

Location & Ownership

FAA records

Aircraft Location

Salt Lake City, UT

Seller reported 88 more aircraft in UT →

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 N185ME against the NTSB accident database.

Service Difficulty Reports — Cessna A185F

SDRs are reports filed by mechanics about problems found during maintenance. 10 recent reports for this aircraft type.

Landing Gear CRACKED
2025-08-01

UPON INSPECTION AND CLEANING OF THE ABI 3413-01K TAIL WHEEL FORK ASSY, A CRACK WAS DISCOVERED. PHOTOS UPON REQUEST.

Power Plant BROKEN
2024-10-03

MOUNTED IN THE RT FRONT POSITION, FOUND BROKEN DURING OIL CHANGE.

Landing Gear BROKEN
2021-09-08

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...

Wings CORRODED
2020-11-15

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 ...

Fuselage CRACKED
2020-07-31

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...

Reciprocating Engine DAMAGED
2016-12-08

THE SURFACE OF THE LIFTER THAT CONTACT THE CAMSHAFT ARE SPALLED AND CORRODED. REPLACED THE LIFTERS.

Reciprocating Engine DAMAGED
2016-12-08

THE SURFACE OF THE LIFTER THAT CONTACT THE CAMSHAFT ARE SPALLED AND CORRODED. REPLACED THE LIFTERS.

Reciprocating Engine DAMAGED
2016-12-08

THE SURFACE OF THE LIFTER THAT CONTACT THE CAMSHAFT ARE SPALLED AND CORRODED. REPLACED THE LIFTERS.

Reciprocating Engine DAMAGED
2016-12-08

THE SURFACE OF THE LIFTER THAT CONTACT THE CAMSHAFT ARE SPALLED AND CORRODED. REPLACED THE LIFTERS.

Reciprocating Engine DAMAGED
2016-12-08

THE SURFACE OF THE LIFTER THAT CONTACT THE CAMSHAFT ARE SPALLED AND CORRODED. REPLACED THE LIFTERS.

Source: FAA Service Difficulty Reporting System. Shows maintenance issues reported by mechanics for this aircraft type.

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Prices and listings updated daily · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data
Disclaimer: All prices, cost estimates, and market values shown are based on asking prices from third-party sources and are provided for informational purposes only. AeroGurus is not an appraiser, broker, or financial advisor. Always obtain a professional appraisal and independent inspection before making a purchase decision. Actual transaction prices may differ from asking prices.