Cessna 185 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 476 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 19, 2003 | Sinclair Is., WA | C-FHMY | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while taxiing for takeoff. Factors contributing to the accident were the ditch and the fence. |
| Jun 26, 2003 | Lexington, OR | N6497E | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing roll. A partially deflated tire and soft terrain were factors. |
| May 29, 2003 | FAIRBANKS, AK | N70162 | Incident | substantial | The pilot's inadequate compensation for a crosswing during the landing roll. A factor contribuiting to the accident was the presence of a crosswind. |
| Mar 09, 2003 | Galena, AK | N1613M | Incident | substantial | The failure of the airplane to climb after takeoff which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain during an aborted landing attempt. |
| Oct 22, 2002 | Waterville, ME | N7321H | Incident | substantial | The pilot's excessive braking during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose over. A factor was the quartering tailwind. |
| Sep 11, 2002 | Mc Grath, AK | N1987U | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during takeoff, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees. A factor associated wit…The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during takeoff, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees. A factor associated with the accident was a variable wind condition. |
| Sep 04, 2002 | PILOT POINT, AK | N9563H | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's inadequate compensation for P-factor, and his failure to abort the takeoff which resulted in a collision with trees during the takeoff ini…The pilot's inadequate compensation for P-factor, and his failure to abort the takeoff which resulted in a collision with trees during the takeoff initial climb. |
| Sep 03, 2002 | SEWARD, AK | N9808X | Incident | substantial |
A loss of directional control of the airplane due to the failure of the pilot to correct for torque/P Factor during the takeoff roll. A factor in the…A loss of directional control of the airplane due to the failure of the pilot to correct for torque/P Factor during the takeoff roll. A factor in the accident was a wet grass surface. |
| Sep 01, 2002 | SPARREVOHN, AK | N7SR | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing that resulted in separation of the right main gear during the landing roll. A factor in the a…The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing that resulted in separation of the right main gear during the landing roll. A factor in the accident was a rough/uneven gravel bar. |
| Aug 16, 2002 | Fillmore, CA | N4145Y | Incident | substantial |
the pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the in-flight collision with terrain dur…the pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the in-flight collision with terrain during a climb. |
| Jun 30, 2002 | SKWENTNA, AK | N1078F | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point resulting in an undershoot, and an in-flight collision with a log during the landing flare. …The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point resulting in an undershoot, and an in-flight collision with a log during the landing flare. A contributing factor in the accident was a hidden obstruction. |
| Jun 15, 2002 | Talkeetna, AK | N333DG | Incident | substantial |
A fracture failure of the lower end of the spring steel landing gear strut. Factors contributing to the accident were the manufacturer's and the FAA'…A fracture failure of the lower end of the spring steel landing gear strut. Factors contributing to the accident were the manufacturer's and the FAA's insufficient standards/requirements for inspection procedures. |
| Jun 08, 2002 | KAKTOVIK, AK | N749 | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's inadequate evaluation of the weather conditions during landing at a remote lake, resulting in a downwind landing. Factors contributing to…The pilot's inadequate evaluation of the weather conditions during landing at a remote lake, resulting in a downwind landing. Factors contributing to the accident were the presence of a tailwind, and an icy lake surface. |
| May 25, 2002 | Talkeetna, AK | N80994 | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's inadequate evaluation of weather conditions, which precipitated an in-flight loss of control and subsequent collision with terrain. A fa…The pilot's inadequate evaluation of weather conditions, which precipitated an in-flight loss of control and subsequent collision with terrain. A factor contributing to the accident was the tailwind. |
| Apr 29, 2002 | Cumberland, WI | N8081E | Incident | substantial | the failure of the pilot to maintain directional control after encountering high winds and gusty winds during taxi from landing. |
| Dec 18, 2001 | RENO, NV | N5172R | Incident | substantial |
Wear on the tail wheel thrust plate spacers resulted in the compression springs binding on the thrust plates and the tail wheel sticking, so that the …Wear on the tail wheel thrust plate spacers resulted in the compression springs binding on the thrust plates and the tail wheel sticking, so that the pilot could not maintain directional control. |
| Oct 06, 2001 | Bethel, AK | N9344N | Incident | substantial | The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. Factors associated in the accident were a crosswind, and a worn tailwheel steering horn. |
| Sep 02, 2001 | KING SALMON, AK | N177BM | Incident | substantial | An overload failure of the main axle attaching bolts, and subsequent separation of the axle from the landing gear strut. |
| Aug 22, 2001 | Cordova, AK | N111FB | Incident | substantial | The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during takeoff. Factors associated with the accident were trees and a variable wind. |
| Jul 26, 2001 | Yakutat, AK | N85CG | Incident | substantial | The pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff area. A factor associated with the accident were trees. |
| Jul 22, 2001 | VISALIA, CA | N1728R | Incident | substantial | The pilot failed to maintain clearance from crops which bordered the narrow runway. |
| Jul 07, 2001 | CANTWELL, AK | N2248T | Incident | substantial |
The student pilot's failure to abort a landing resulting in an overrun. Factors in the accident were the pilot's diverted attention, and gusty wind c…The student pilot's failure to abort a landing resulting in an overrun. Factors in the accident were the pilot's diverted attention, and gusty wind conditions. |
| Nov 05, 2000 | CARSON CITY, NV | N185CY | Incident | substantial | Fuel starvation precipitated by the pilot's continued use of the fuel selector valve that was not seating in the detents properly. |
| Oct 17, 2000 | DRIGGS, ID | N93981 | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Factors include soft terrain adjacent to the runway. |
| Aug 17, 2000 | YAKUTAT, AK | N185M | Incident | substantial | The total fatigue failure of the right main landing gear leg. |