How many accidents has the Cessna 185 had?

The NTSB has recorded 476 events involving the Cessna 185: 43 fatal, 23 serious, 51 minor injuries, and 353 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Cessna 185 a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Cessna 185 has 476 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Cessna 185 Safety Record

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

476

All Events

353

Incidents

Minor

Serious

Fatal (93 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
Aug 16, 2013	Sleetmute, AK	N185SN	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.
Aug 08, 2013	North Pole, AK	N75LE	Incident	substantial	The malfunction of the right main wheel brake during taxi due to a faulty O-ring in the right brake pedal master cylinder.
Mar 05, 2013	Flat, AK	N2550Z	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for gusting, variable wind conditions during initial climb after takeoff.
Oct 28, 2011	Prineville, OR	N520YH	Incident	substantial	A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, which resulted from the pilot inadvertently leaving the fuel selector set to the left tank. Contr… A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, which resulted from the pilot inadvertently leaving the fuel selector set to the left tank. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s deviation from his normal habit pattern and his failure to refer to the in-flight engine failure checklist after the engine power loss.
Jul 25, 2011	Kenai, AK	N9852X	Incident	substantial	The loss of engine power for an undetermined reason, resulting in the ditching and sinking of the airplane in ocean waters.
Apr 30, 2011	Bend, OR	N1679Z	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Dec 01, 2010	Madras, OR	N1699Z	Incident	minor	The failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other airplane while in the traffic pattern to land, which resulted in a midair collision.
Oct 22, 2010	Fort Thomas, AZ	N5011X	Incident	substantial	The airplane's encounter with a dust devil during landing rollout, which resulted in the pilot not being able to maintain directional control.
Aug 16, 2009	McCarthy, AK	N8209U	Incident	substantial	The separation of the right main landing gear wheel from the airplane during landing for undetermined reasons, which resulted in an inability to contr… The separation of the right main landing gear wheel from the airplane during landing for undetermined reasons, which resulted in an inability to control the airplane.
May 18, 2009	Tacoma, WA	N70083	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing with a crosswind.
Sep 05, 2008	Newberry, MI	N80MW	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the wires on approach. Contributing to the accident was the sunshine, as reported by the pilot.
Jul 04, 2008	McCarthy, AK	N80596	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper fuel management which resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power during cruise flight. Contributing to the accident w… The pilot's improper fuel management which resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power during cruise flight. Contributing to the accident was an aerodynamic stall during the emergency landing, the pilot's fatigue, and his unfamiliarity with the airplane.
May 05, 2008	Talkeetna, AK	N125KT	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was an inadvertent ground-loop.
Apr 26, 2008	Bend, OR	N185NH	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control. Contributing to the accident was an unex… The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control. Contributing to the accident was an unexpected crosswind gust.
Apr 09, 2008	Big Lake, AK	N185AR	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to refuel the airplane prior to fuel exhaustion.
Mar 05, 2008	Takotna, AK	N1224F	Incident	substantial	The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff.
Dec 23, 2007	Skwentna, AK	N572E	Incident	substantial	The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for taxi. Contributing to the accident were rough and uneven terrain, and an excessive taxispeed.
Sep 11, 2007	McGrath, AK	N94260	Incident	substantial	The pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff area which resulted in an overrun and collision with a gravel berm during an aborted takeoff. Factors … The pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff area which resulted in an overrun and collision with a gravel berm during an aborted takeoff. Factors contributing to the accident were his delay in aborting the takeoff, and the short takeoff area.
Sep 08, 2007	Anchorage, AK	N1758R	Incident	substantial	A loss of engine power for an undetermined reason.
Aug 10, 2007	Pedro Bay, AK	N3306R	Incident	substantial	The loss of control during the landing roll for an unknown reason.
Aug 09, 2007	Bethel, AK	N720	Incident	substantial	The improper [reversed] installation of the fuel selector handle by maintenance personnel.
Jul 31, 2007	Talkeetna, AK	N70020	Incident	substantial	The loss of engine power during cruise flight due to an improperly repaired airbox.
Jun 20, 2007	Kalispell, MT	N391M	Incident	substantial	The complete loss of engine power during an attempted go-around from a simulated engine-out landing. Factors include rough/uneven terrain and high veg… The complete loss of engine power during an attempted go-around from a simulated engine-out landing. Factors include rough/uneven terrain and high vegetation where the pilot made an emergency forced landing.
May 10, 2007	Cantwell, AK	N9832X	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during takeoff initial climb, which resulted in a descent into high vegetation, and a nose ove… The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during takeoff initial climb, which resulted in a descent into high vegetation, and a nose over. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot's inadequate weather evaluation and a downdraft.
Jul 24, 2006	Cove, OR	N477G	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. Factors include wet grass and trees.

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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Cessna 185 Safety Record

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