Cessna 185 Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 476 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.

476

All Events

353

Incidents

51

Minor

23

Serious

43

Fatal (93 fatalities)
Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Mar 05, 1989 BELLINGHAM, WA N79PK Incident substantial
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE LOSS OF LIFT DUE TO ICE ACCUMULATION ON THE WINGS, HIS FAILURE TO CONTROL THE RATE OF DESCENT, AND POOR INFL…

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE LOSS OF LIFT DUE TO ICE ACCUMULATION ON THE WINGS, HIS FAILURE TO CONTROL THE RATE OF DESCENT, AND POOR INFLIGHT DECISION MAKING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S FATIGUE.
Jan 10, 1989 JUNEAU, AK N6420E Incident substantial
THE MISJUDGEMENT OF THE RUNWAY CONDITIONS ON THE PART OF THE PILOT PRIOR TO LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE DEEP SNOW ON THE RUNWAY, BOX CA…

THE MISJUDGEMENT OF THE RUNWAY CONDITIONS ON THE PART OF THE PILOT PRIOR TO LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE DEEP SNOW ON THE RUNWAY, BOX CANYON CONFIGURATION OF THE AREA PRECLUDING RUNWAY OVERFLIGHT, MARGINAL WEATHER/LIGHT CONDITIONS FOR ASSESSING THE RUNWAY STATUS AND FAILURE ON THE PART OF COMPANY DISPATCH PERSONNEL TO ACQUIRE AND PROVIDE THE PILOT WITH THE RUNWAY CONDITIONS BEFORE DIVERTING THE FLIGHT TO THE LOCATION OF THE MISHAP.
Dec 21, 1988 PORCUPINE LODGE, AK N70087 Incident substantial Investigation pending
Dec 03, 1988 HANSON, MA N6387 Incident substantial Investigation pending
Sep 29, 1988 HILLSBORO, OR N4758E Incident substantial Investigation pending
Sep 21, 1988 CHIP RIVER, AK N61500 Incident substantial Investigation pending
Sep 16, 1988 MCCLAREN RIVER, AK N73DA Incident substantial Investigation pending
Aug 28, 1988 JOSEPH VILLAGE, AK N4838C Incident substantial Investigation pending
Aug 20, 1988 HILLSBORO, OR N14407 Incident substantial Investigation pending
Jul 20, 1988 BETTLES, AK N93769 Incident substantial Investigation pending
Jul 16, 1988 LONE PINE, CA N23FB Incident substantial Investigation pending
Jun 27, 1988 BARTER ISLAND, AK N53042 Incident substantial Investigation pending
May 17, 1988 TUNTUTULIAK, AK N1592F Incident substantial Investigation pending
May 10, 1988 MERCER ISLAND, WA N1701R Incident substantial Investigation pending
Apr 30, 1988 ERIE, CO N8389Q Incident substantial Investigation pending
Apr 17, 1988 FAIRBANKS, AK N5060R Incident substantial Investigation pending
Apr 11, 1988 HOPEDALE, MA N4695E Incident substantial Investigation pending
Mar 10, 1988 OPHIR, AK N5045R Incident substantial Investigation pending
Feb 13, 1988 REDDING, CA CFCTO Incident substantial Investigation pending
Nov 20, 1987 BURNET, TX N7370H Incident substantial Investigation pending
Oct 26, 1987 ANCHORAGE, AK N9946X Incident substantial Investigation pending
Sep 17, 1987 LITTLE DELTA RV, AK N9914X Incident substantial Investigation pending
Sep 16, 1987 WIND RIVER, AK N1050F Incident substantial Investigation pending
Sep 15, 1987 MT. WATANA, AK N5416R Incident substantial Investigation pending
Sep 06, 1987 WASILLA, AK N93018 Incident substantial Investigation pending
Disclaimer: This data is sourced from the NTSB Aviation Accident Database. NTSB events reflect reported accidents and incidents and do not necessarily indicate a defect in the aircraft type. Many events involve pilot error, weather conditions, maintenance issues, or other factors unrelated to the aircraft design. This information is provided for research purposes only — consult official NTSB reports for complete details.
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