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
Jul 05, 1994 PALOUSE, WA N5833T Fatal (1) substantial THE INADVERTENT DISORIENTATION OF THE PILOT AFTER ENTERING INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. FOG WAS A RELATED FACTOR.
Sep 22, 1993 DE BORGIA, MT N4176Y Fatal (2) destroyed THE PILOT'S POOR IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED ABOVE A STALL.
Aug 30, 1993 HULAHULA RIVER, AK N70087 Fatal (1) destroyed THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S ATTEMPTED VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC CONDITIONS. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE HIGH TERRAIN AND THE OBSCURATION.
Aug 23, 1992 WHITTIER, AK N9829X Fatal (4) destroyed
PILOT IN COMMAND'S INTENTIONAL FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S DISREGARD FOR ADVERSE…

PILOT IN COMMAND'S INTENTIONAL FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S DISREGARD FOR ADVERSE WEATHER ADVISORY, WEATHER CONDITIONS (CLOUDS) AND MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

Dec 14, 1991 KETCHIKAN, AK N2212T Fatal (1) substantial
AN INADVERTENT STALL WHILE MANEUVERING FOR A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. FACTORS INCLUDE A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, AND INADE…

AN INADVERTENT STALL WHILE MANEUVERING FOR A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. FACTORS INCLUDE A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, AND INADEQUATE ALTITUDE FOR THE MANEUVER.

Jul 02, 1990 ILIAMNA, AK N185KA Fatal (2) substantial
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROPER PROCEDURES AND DIRECTIVES (EXCESSIVE FLAPS); FAILURE TO OPERATE THE AIRPLANE WITHIN THE ALLOWABLE GROSS WEIGHT LI…

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROPER PROCEDURES AND DIRECTIVES (EXCESSIVE FLAPS); FAILURE TO OPERATE THE AIRPLANE WITHIN THE ALLOWABLE GROSS WEIGHT LIMITATIONS; IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN MINIMUM SAFE FLYING SPEED, RESULTING IN A STALL/MUSH.

Sep 07, 1989 TANACROSS, AK N4838C Fatal (1) destroyed
POOR JUDGEMENT BY THE PILOT BY BUZZING THE AIRPORT AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE/CLEARANCE ABOVE THE TERRAIN. THE PILOT'S USE OF ABR…

POOR JUDGEMENT BY THE PILOT BY BUZZING THE AIRPORT AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE/CLEARANCE ABOVE THE TERRAIN. THE PILOT'S USE OF ABRUPT MANEUVERS WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

Jul 30, 1988 LISCOME BAY, AK N70168 Fatal (3) destroyed Investigation pending
Jul 04, 1988 WHITTIER, AK N185BT Fatal (4) substantial Investigation pending
May 03, 1988 LARSON BAY, AK N9030R Fatal (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Nov 27, 1987 FAIRBANKS, AK N4056Y Fatal (3) destroyed Investigation pending
Aug 12, 1987 KETCHIKAN, AK N73WS Fatal (2) destroyed Investigation pending
Jul 19, 1987 HINCHINBROOK IS, AK N1744R Fatal (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Oct 15, 1986 GREENVILLE, ME N61438 Fatal (1) substantial Investigation pending
Jan 11, 1984 UNION CITY, CA N93086 Fatal (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Sep 21, 1983 VALDEZ, AK N4559F Fatal (2) substantial Investigation pending
Apr 24, 1983 PILLAGER, MN N29968 Fatal (2) destroyed Investigation pending
Jun 19, 1982 NEAR CHINITNA B, AK N4212Q Fatal (1) destroyed 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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