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
Jun 23, 1999	EAST HADDAM, CT	N3385L	Serious (1)	substantial	The loss of engine power due to water in the fuel system.
Apr 27, 1999	JUNEAU, AK	N93311	Serious (1)	substantial	The failure of the engine driven fuel pump for undetermined reasons. Factors associated with this accident were the low altitude at which the failure… The failure of the engine driven fuel pump for undetermined reasons. Factors associated with this accident were the low altitude at which the failure occurred resulting in task overload of the pilot, and landing the amphibious airplane in the swampy terrain short of the runway with the wheels extended.
Apr 23, 1999	HAINES, AK	N3539F	Minor	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty crosswind conditions.
Mar 30, 1999	HILTON HEAD, SC	N185MN	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate evaluation of weather information that resulted in his failure to maintain directional control during landing. Factors were gu… The pilot's inadequate evaluation of weather information that resulted in his failure to maintain directional control during landing. Factors were gusting winds, and a tail wind.
Mar 01, 1999	DURANGO, CO	N9823X	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and inadvertently allowing the airplane to ground loop. Factors were gusty crosswind conditions, … The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and inadvertently allowing the airplane to ground loop. Factors were gusty crosswind conditions, pertinent crosswind information not made available by the manufacturer, and FAA's inadequate certification and approval of the airplane.
Nov 02, 1998	TUCSON, AZ	N185Z	Incident	substantial	Failure of the pilot to properly secure the seat which subsequently slid back on the takeoff roll and lead to the pilot's loss of aircraft control.
Sep 20, 1998	MESA, AZ	N1613M	Incident	substantial	The failure of the wheel assembly retention nuts and subsequent wheel separation.
Sep 16, 1998	FAIRBANKS, AK	N93904	Incident	substantial	The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff and his failure to maintain adequate obstacle clearance.
Sep 01, 1998	TALKEETNA, AK	N333DG	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control resulting in a inadvertent ground loop. A contributing factor was the induced pressure on the pil… The pilot's failure to maintain directional control resulting in a inadvertent ground loop. A contributing factor was the induced pressure on the pilot by a sick passenger.
Aug 30, 1998	ANCHORAGE, AK	N1987U	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadvertent ground loop/swerve. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.
Aug 25, 1998	WESTPORT, MA	N114LS	Incident	substantial	The flight instructor's failure to maintain control of the airplane and his delayed decision to go-around. Factors related to the accident were the f… The flight instructor's failure to maintain control of the airplane and his delayed decision to go-around. Factors related to the accident were the flight instructor's improper inflight decision to land downwind and his inadequate compensation for wind.
Aug 17, 1998	SUSANVILLE, CA	N8482D	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. A factor was the gusty wind conditions.
Aug 12, 1998	VENICE, LA	N4810	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during high speed step-taxi. A factor was the swell left by the boat.
Jul 23, 1998	KENAI, AK	N5892T	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control.
Jul 15, 1998	MCGRATH, AK	N2750J	Incident	substantial	The loss of engine power for a undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the trees.
Jul 05, 1998	HOMER, AK	N3347L	Incident	minor	The failure of the right main landing gear leg due to corrosion pitting and fatigue.
Jul 01, 1998	ILIAMNA, AK	N4574F	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions. Factors associated with the accident were a crosswind and the pilot's lack of recent ex… The pilot's inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions. Factors associated with the accident were a crosswind and the pilot's lack of recent experience in a tailwheel airplane.
Jun 21, 1998	CHITINA, AK	N80596	Incident	substantial	The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. Factors in the accident were uneven and soft terrain on the landing strip.
Jun 20, 1998	ANCHORAGE, AK	N85CF	Incident	substantial	The rotation/slippage of the right main tire on the wheel rim, resulting in shearing of the tire tube valve stem, and subsequent tire deflation. Fact… The rotation/slippage of the right main tire on the wheel rim, resulting in shearing of the tire tube valve stem, and subsequent tire deflation. Factors in the accident were oversize, tundra tires operated on a dry, asphalt runway surface.
Jun 18, 1998	BIG LAKE, AK	N9982X	Fatal (1)	destroyed	The pilot's performance of a low level maneuver. Factors were the pilot's overconfidence in his personal ability, his lack of experience in the type o… The pilot's performance of a low level maneuver. Factors were the pilot's overconfidence in his personal ability, his lack of experience in the type of airplane, and his failure to maintain adequate clearance from terrain.
Jun 13, 1998	ANCHORAGE, AK	N70195	Minor	substantial	The total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Jun 10, 1998	SKWENTNA, AK	N2902Q	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. Factors associated with the accident are wind gusts, and a crosswind condition.
Jun 09, 1998	CHICKALOON, AK	N9855X	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadvertent activation of the fuel boost pump selector switch during final approach, which resulted in an overly rich mixture and subseque… The pilot's inadvertent activation of the fuel boost pump selector switch during final approach, which resulted in an overly rich mixture and subsequent loss of engine power.
Jun 05, 1998	ILIAMNA, AK	N32663	Incident	substantial	The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the hilly terrain.
May 29, 1998	KOTZEBUE, AK	N4761Q	Minor	substantial	The instructor pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. A factor associated with this accident was a downdraft prior to touchdown.

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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