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
May 26, 1995 TALKEETNA, AK N1047F Minor substantial
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO IDENTIFY UNSAFE SNOW CONDITIONS AT THE SITE. A FACTOR ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCIDENT IS THE SOFT SNOW IN THE TAKE…

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO IDENTIFY UNSAFE SNOW CONDITIONS AT THE SITE. A FACTOR ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCIDENT IS THE SOFT SNOW IN THE TAKEOFF AREA.
Jul 01, 1993 WASILLA, AK N93018 Minor substantial
THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO USE ALL OF THE AVAILABLE RUNWAY (WATERWAY). A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S LACK OF RECENT EXPE…

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO USE ALL OF THE AVAILABLE RUNWAY (WATERWAY). A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE OF OPERATION.
Feb 04, 1993 NORTH BEND, OR N5849J Minor substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, AND INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION. FACTORS INCLUDE A POOR INFLIGHT DECISION, AND GUSTY CROSSWINDS.
May 30, 1992 LONE PINE, CA N3349L Minor substantial THE PILOT DID NOT ABORT THE TAKEOFF IN TIME TO AVOID THE ON GROUND COLLISION WITH THE FENCE AND CREEK BANK.
Feb 19, 1992 PELICAN, AK N4948Q Minor substantial THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT DURING TAKEOFF. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE GLARE FROM THE SUN.
Sep 08, 1991 DULUTH, MN N1637Z Minor substantial
PREMATURE TOUCHDOWN WHILE LANDING BY THE PIC/CFI. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE LOW CEILINGS, RAIN, AND HAZE; WEATHER EVALUATION MISJUDGED BY …

PREMATURE TOUCHDOWN WHILE LANDING BY THE PIC/CFI. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE LOW CEILINGS, RAIN, AND HAZE; WEATHER EVALUATION MISJUDGED BY THE PIC/CFI; AND VISUAL OUTLOOK REDUCED.
Sep 06, 1991 AFTON, MN N1074F Minor substantial THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT LOWERING OF THE WHEELS DURING THE WATER LANDING.
Jul 06, 1991 VALDEZ, AK N5081H Minor substantial LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON DURING AN APPROACH TO LAND.
May 12, 1991 SANFORD, ME N1745R Minor substantial
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PROCEDURE BY NOT PLACING THE FUEL SELECTOR ON THE TANK WITH THE MOST FUEL, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION AND A FORCED LANDING…

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PROCEDURE BY NOT PLACING THE FUEL SELECTOR ON THE TANK WITH THE MOST FUEL, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION AND A FORCED LANDING IN TREES.
May 20, 1990 TERRA BELLA, CA N1211F Minor substantial THE PILOT'S PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION WAS POOR. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE HIGH VEGETATION FIELD.
Jul 31, 1989 TOZITNA RIVER, AK N4005Y Minor substantial IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION BY THE PILOT. HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS, UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS, AND TREES WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.
Nov 04, 1988 EBENSBURG, PA N4023Y Minor destroyed Investigation pending
Sep 23, 1988 BENSON, MN N3815Q Minor destroyed Investigation pending
May 06, 1988 HUNTER CREEK, AK N22901 Minor substantial Investigation pending
May 30, 1987 ANCHORAGE, AK N177BM Minor substantial Investigation pending
Dec 03, 1986 SKWENTNA, AK N6992N Minor substantial Investigation pending
Sep 07, 1986 ST. JOHN, WA N2262T Minor substantial Investigation pending
Aug 04, 1986 RENO, NV N185M Minor destroyed Investigation pending
Oct 23, 1985 BLOCK ISLAND, RI N8475Q Minor destroyed Investigation pending
Aug 02, 1985 NOME, AK N70008 Minor substantial Investigation pending
Sep 29, 1984 SKWENTNA, AK N70123 Minor substantial Investigation pending
Sep 01, 1984 KENAI, AK N9712H Minor substantial Investigation pending
Jun 14, 1984 MCCARTHY, AK N714HP Minor substantial Investigation pending
Jul 12, 1983 SLEETMUTE, AK N70059 Minor substantial Investigation pending
Jun 14, 1983 KENAI, AK N2565Z Minor 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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