1976 Cessna 185
Single Engine Piston
Aircraft Details
Seller reportedAvionics & Equipment
The exterior is white & gray with red & white accents. New paint applied to wings & elevators in December 2022.
Interior New interior in light & dark shades of gray with gray marbled plastic flooring. View full logbooks & additional data online ( for Specification SheetDescription
Features Will be sold with fresh annual New Interior Tail AD Done Properly $100k recently put into it Airframe 1976 Cessna A185F Registration Number: N28JE Serial Number: 18502911 Aircraft Total Time: 4404 Date of Annual: Will be sold with fresh annual. Fuel Capacity: 80 gallons Stall Speed: 52 KIAS Useful Load: 1451 lbs. Max Range: 573 nm Normal Cruise: 147 kts Engine Continental IO-520D24B Serial Number: 282957-R Engine Total Time: 1024 Date of Rebuild: November 4, 1993 Location of Rebuild: Teledyne Continental Motors Engine Lifters Pulled Cam Shaft Inspected Propeller Hartzell HC-C3YF-1RF1 Serial Number: D-3251-3R Blade Design Number: F8468A-8R Blade Serial Numbers: H73531, H73534, H73533 Prop Total Time: 893 Date of New Installation: April 14, 1995 Avionics Garmin GNS 430 JPI EDM 700 BFG WX-950 Stormscope PS Engineering PM 1000 II BendixKing KMA 24 TSO BendixKing KX 155 TSO BendixKing KN 64 BendixKing KT 76 BendixKing KI-204 VOR/LOC Indicator S-Tec System 50 Autopilot BendixKing HSD 830 HSI Datcon Hobbs Meter Airspeed Indicator Turn Coordinator Attitude Indicator Altimeter Vertical Speed Indicator Manifold Pressure Gauge Tachometer DIS CHG Ammeter Indicator ADS-B? No IFR Capable? Yes IFR certified? Additional Features New Wing X Extensions New Sportsman Leading Edge STOL New Vortex Generators New Ailerons New Elevators New Seaplanes West Replacement Engine Mount Tail Removed AD Properly Completed Windshield V Brace Float Fittings Incident Date(s): None Gaps/missing Logbooks: No Known Flaws: No Known Corrosion: No Exterior The exterior is white gray with red white accents. New paint applied to wings elevators in December 2022. Interior New interior in light dark shades of gray, with gray marbled plastic flooring. View full logbooks additional data online ( for Specification Sheet
Engine
Continental IO-520D24B Serial Number: 282957-R Engine Total Time: 1024 Date of Rebuild: November 4, 1993 Location of Rebuild: Teledyne Continental Motors Engine Lifters Pulled & Cam Shaft Inspected Propeller Hartzell HC-C3YF-1RF1 Serial Number: D-3251-3R Blade Design Number: F8468A-8R Blade Serial Numbers: H73531, H73534, H73533 Prop Total Time: 893 Date of New Installation: April 14, 1995 Avionics Garmin GNS 430 JPI EDM 700 BFG WX-950 Stormscope PS Engineering PM 1000 II BendixKing KMA 24 TSO BendixKing KX 155 TSO BendixKing KN 64 BendixKing KT 76 BendixKing KI-204 VOR/LOC Indicator S-Tec System 50 Autopilot BendixKing HSD 830 HSI Datcon Hobbs Meter Airspeed Indicator Turn Coordinator Attitude Indicator Altimeter Vertical Speed Indicator Manifold Pressure Gauge Tachometer DIS CHG Ammeter Indicator ADS-B? No IFR Capable? Yes IFR certified? Additional Features New Wing X Extensions New Sportsman Leading Edge STOL New Vortex Generators New Ailerons New Elevators New Seaplanes West Replacement Engine Mount Tail Removed & AD Properly Completed Windshield V Brace & Float Fittings Incident Date(s): None Gaps/missing Logbooks: No Known Flaws: No Known Corrosion: No Exterior The exterior is white & gray with red & white accents. New paint applied to wings & elevators in December 2022. Interior New interior in light & dark shades of gray, with gray marbled plastic flooring. View full logbooks & additional data online ( for Specification Sheet
Interior
New interior in light & dark shades of gray, with gray marbled plastic flooring. View full logbooks & additional data online ( for Specification Sheet
Exterior
The exterior is white & gray with red & white accents. New paint applied to wings & elevators in December 2022. Interior New interior in light & dark shades of gray, with gray marbled plastic flooring. View full logbooks & additional data online ( for Specification Sheet
Description and equipment details provided by the seller. AeroGurus does not verify seller-provided information.
Price Comparison Listed on multiple marketplaces
| Source | Price | Location | Listed | Days on Market | Status | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
AirSpaceAuctions Contact
winglist.aero
|
$290,000
|
Springfield, United States | May 03, 2026 | 75 days | Active | |
|
Matt Hutton
avpay.aero
|
$290,000
|
MN | Apr 05, 2026 | 104 days | Active |
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AeroGurus Data & Analysis
Independent data from FAA, NTSB, and market analysis
About This Cessna 185
This 1976 Cessna 185 (N28JE) is a 6-seat single engine piston with 4,404 hours on the airframe. There are currently 19 185 aircraft listed for sale with asking prices ranging from $140,000 to $377,354. This aircraft is priced above the market average at $290,000.
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 100LL avgas prices (~$6.20/gal) means approximately $96/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 4,404 hours on the airframe, this aircraft has exceeded TBO (1,700 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 N28JE.
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 N28JE 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.
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