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
Apr 11, 1997 WETUMPKA, AL N285BG Incident substantial loss of engine power during a go-around for undetermined reason(s).
Mar 27, 1997 CHUGIAK, AK N4855C Incident substantial
The pilot's improper installation of the main landing gear wheel penetration skis, which allowed the skis to rotate to a vertical position in flight a…

The pilot's improper installation of the main landing gear wheel penetration skis, which allowed the skis to rotate to a vertical position in flight and subsequently separate during landing.

Feb 23, 1997 DELTA JUNCTION, AK N93189 Incident substantial
the pilot's inadequate compensation of wind conditins, and failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff run. The crosswind was a relate…

the pilot's inadequate compensation of wind conditins, and failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff run. The crosswind was a related factor.

Feb 23, 1997 KETCHIKAN, AK N4471R Incident substantial the pilot allowed an excessive rate of descent to develope during an approach to land, and delayed in initiating a go-around.
Oct 03, 1996 FINLEY, ND N185ND Incident substantial
failure of the flight instructor (CFI) to ensure that clearance from the dock was maintained, while starting to taxi. The crosswind was a related fact…

failure of the flight instructor (CFI) to ensure that clearance from the dock was maintained, while starting to taxi. The crosswind was a related factor.

Sep 28, 1996 NOME, AK N222WH Incident substantial failure of the pilot to maintain proper alignment of the selected landing area. Subsequent encounter with rocks was a related factor.
Aug 06, 1996 KAKTOVIK, AK N8536L Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing wind conditions. A factor associated with the accident was the windshear.
Aug 02, 1996 WAINWRIGHT, AK N20752 Incident substantial The pilot's excessive application of the brakes during the landing roll.
Jun 11, 1996 GUSTAVUS, AK N56581 Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions. A factor associated with the accident was a crosswind.
May 03, 1996 KODIAK, AK N70039 Incident substantial
the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions. Factors associated with the accident were the soft terrain at the landing site, and…

the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions. Factors associated with the accident were the soft terrain at the landing site, and a crosswind.

Apr 08, 1996 PLACERVILLE, CA N61905 Incident substantial the CFI's failure to take adequate remedial action to preclude the loss of direction control during landing rollout.
Apr 06, 1996 FAIRBANKS, AK N1692M Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions. A factor in the accident was the gusty wind conditions.
Mar 31, 1996 ANCHORAGE, AK N9875X Incident substantial the pilot's inadequate compensation for gusty crosswind conditions. The strong, gusty crosswind was a factor.
Mar 13, 1996 CRIPPLE, AK N93829 Incident substantial the pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area.
Mar 07, 1996 ANCHORAGE, AK N9211T Incident substantial the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.
Mar 04, 1996 SKWENTNA, AK N5246E Incident substantial the pilot's selection of an unsuitable area for landing. A factor associated with the accident was the rough and uneven terrain.
Oct 27, 1995 KODIAK, AK N1095F Incident substantial The check pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. Factors relating to the accident were: the rough water and adverse wind conditions.
Oct 22, 1995 YAKUTAT, AK N4755Q Incident substantial
The pilot's improper planning/decision, which resulted in his failure (or inability) to maintain directional control of the airplane, while attempting…

The pilot's improper planning/decision, which resulted in his failure (or inability) to maintain directional control of the airplane, while attempting to negotiate a bend (dog-leg) in the runway. Factors relating to the accident were: variable/gusty wind conditions, wet (grass) runway condition, and a bend (dog-leg) in the landing area.

Aug 15, 1995 TELLER, AK N4145Y Incident substantial
DEFLATION OF THE LEFT MAIN TUNDRA TIRE DUE TO VALVE STEM DAMAGE (FAILURE) WHEN THE TIRE ROTATED INDEPENDENTLY OF THE WHEEL RIM, RESULTING IN LOSS OF D…

DEFLATION OF THE LEFT MAIN TUNDRA TIRE DUE TO VALVE STEM DAMAGE (FAILURE) WHEN THE TIRE ROTATED INDEPENDENTLY OF THE WHEEL RIM, RESULTING IN LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND A GROUND SWERVE.

Jul 12, 1995 BETTLES, AK N725 Incident substantial
THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY JUDGE THE HEIGHT OF THE AIRPLANE ABOVE THE WATER DURING LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE GLAS…

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY JUDGE THE HEIGHT OF THE AIRPLANE ABOVE THE WATER DURING LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE GLASSY WATER CONDITIONS AND AN EXCESSIVE DESCENT RATE AT TOUCHDOWN.

Jul 01, 1995 TALKEETNA, AK N555WK Incident substantial
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE EVALUATION OF THE WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION TO ASSURE CLEARANCE FROM MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. A …

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE EVALUATION OF THE WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION TO ASSURE CLEARANCE FROM MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE UNFAVORABLE/GUSTY WIND CONDITION.

Jun 29, 1995 FAIRBANKS, AK N9667Q Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROCEDURES AND DIRECTIVES TO NOT EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR DURING A WATER LANDING DUE TO HABIT INTERFERENCE.
Apr 30, 1995 KETCHIKAN, AK N111EZ Incident substantial THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT WATER LOOP/SWERVE DUE TO THE USE OF IMPROPER LANDING PROCEDURES.
Apr 24, 1995 BANGOR, ME N62EC Incident substantial the pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing and collapse of the right main gear.
Mar 17, 1995 BAUDETTE, MN N714MX Incident substantial an encountered with a hidden obstruction during taxi. A factor was the ski assembly not having been installed.
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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