Cessna 185 Safety Record

The pilot’s failure to recognize he was taking off with a tailwind and his inadequate compensation for taking off with a tailwind, which led to the airplane’s failure to attain a climb and a subsequent forced landing.

The pilot's flight into adverse weather conditions, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain while maneuvering. A factor contributing to the accident was interference by the pilot-rated passenger.

A fracture and separation of the main landing gear strut during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of control, and subsequent nose down. Factors contributing to the accident were the manufacturer's and the FAA's insufficient standards/requirements regarding inspection procedures for the main landing gear struts.

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while landing. A factor was the pilot's impairment due to the influence of non-prescribed pain medication.

The pilot/owner's failure to ensure that the airplane was in an airworthy condition prior to flight, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power and subsequent in-flight collision with a residence during an emergency landing after takeoff. Factors associated with the accident are a contaminated fuel pump, a flow-restricted fuel controller, a flow-restricted distributor valve, worn spark plugs, and inadequate servicing/maintenance of the airplane by other maintenance personnel.

The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for a quartering tailwind during the initial part of the landing roll, and his failure to adequately decrease his brake applications to compensate for the tailwind conditions. Factors include, variable, gusting winds, and a tailwind during the landing roll..

The pilot's excessive taxi speed while attempting to turn the airplane in soft snow, which resulted in a nose over. A factor in the accident was soft snow.

The pilot's evasive maneuver to avoid obstacle clearance, resulting in a premature lift off with inadequate airspeed followed by a stall. The presence of the boat was a factor.

The pilot's excessive braking, which resulted in a noseover during landing. Factors associated with the accident were the pilot's improper touchdown point, and landing with a tailwind.

The pilot's excessive descent rate and subsequent hard landing during the landing flare/touchdown. A factor in the accident was glassy water conditions.

The pilot's improper remedial action and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing. A factor in the accident was the pilot's excessive use of the airplane brakes.

Corrosion and a fatigue failure of the lower end of the landing gear strut. Factors in the accident were the manufacturer's and the FAA's insufficient standards/requirements for life limits and inspection procedures.

The total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor in this accident was the mountainous terrain in which the pilot had to perform a forced landing.

the pilot's failure to properly verify the position of a fractured fuel selector handle, which resulted in fuel starvation and subsequent loss of engine power. A factor related to the accident was: the fractured handle that allowed the fuel selector to be rotated to an OFF position.

The inadequate visual outlook by the pilots of both aircraft, and their failure to see and avoid the other aircraft. A factor associated with the accident was sunglare affecting the helicopter pilot's vision.

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning for departure and his selection of unsuitable terrain. Factors in the accident were soft, snow covered terrain and the pilot's delay in aborting the takeoff.

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. Related factors are the crosswind weather condition, the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and the intermittent binding of the left brake.