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
Apr 17, 1997	MANLEY, AK	N8310Q	Incident	substantial	the pilot's inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing run. Fact… the pilot's inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing run. Factors relating to the accident were: frozen terrain, adverse wind condition, and proximity of a snowbank.
Apr 11, 1997	WETUMPKA, AL	N285BG	Incident	substantial	loss of engine power during a go-around for undetermined reason(s).
Apr 09, 1997	TATITLEK, AK	N59AK	Fatal (2)	destroyed	The command pilots of both airplanes inadequate visual outlook which led to their failure to see and avoid each other's airplane. A factor associated… The command pilots of both airplanes inadequate visual outlook which led to their failure to see and avoid each other's airplane. A factor associated with the accident was sunglare.
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	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.
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.
Jan 02, 1997	NOME, AK	N23CB	Minor	substantial	the pilot's failure to properly verify the position of a fractured fuel selector handle, which resulted in fuel starvation and subsequent loss of engi… the pilot's failure to properly verify the position of a fractured fuel selector handle, which resulted in fuel starvation and subsequent loss of engine power. A factor related to the accident was: the fractured handle that allowed the fuel selector to be rotated to an OFF position.
Nov 30, 1996	MARSHALL, AK	N93829	Fatal (2)	destroyed	failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and collision with the t… failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and collision with the terrain.
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 04, 1996	HEALY, AK	N5246E	Minor	—	The inadequate visual outlook by the pilots of both aircraft, and their failure to see and avoid the other aircraft. A factor associated with the acc… The inadequate visual outlook by the pilots of both aircraft, and their failure to see and avoid the other aircraft. A factor associated with the accident was sunglare affecting the helicopter pilot's vision.
Aug 02, 1996	WAINWRIGHT, AK	N20752	Incident	substantial	The pilot's excessive application of the brakes during the landing roll.
Jul 28, 1996	TALKEETNA, AK	N70018	Minor	destroyed	The pilot's inadequate preflight planning for departure and his selection of unsuitable terrain. Factors in the accident were soft, snow covered terr… The pilot's inadequate preflight planning for departure and his selection of unsuitable terrain. Factors in the accident were soft, snow covered terrain and the pilot's delay in aborting the takeoff.
Jul 04, 1996	FAIRBANKS, AK	N185CA	Minor	destroyed	fatigue failure of the engine crankshaft. A factor related to the accident was: the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.
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 12, 1996	PROVIDENCE, KY	N58LE	Minor	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. Related factors are the crosswind weather condition, the… the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. Related factors are the crosswind weather condition, the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and the intermittent binding of the left brake.
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.

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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