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
Oct 07, 2020 Romsey, UK G-BLOS Serious (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Sep 12, 2010 Paxson, AK N4038Y Serious (1) substantial
The pilot's decision to make a climbing turn close to the ground in gusting wind at a low airspeed, resulting in a loss of control and collision with …

The pilot's decision to make a climbing turn close to the ground in gusting wind at a low airspeed, resulting in a loss of control and collision with terrain.

Jun 22, 2006 Bettles, AK N94204 Serious (2) substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and collision with terrain. Factors contribu…

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and collision with terrain. Factors contributing to the accident were the inadvertent stall, and an unfavorable wind.

Oct 10, 2004 King Salmon, AK N5001R Serious (1) substantial
The pilot's failure to use a checklist, and to remove the flight control locks prior to flight, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and in-fligh…

The pilot's failure to use a checklist, and to remove the flight control locks prior to flight, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and in-flight collision with terrain/water.

Jul 21, 2003 BIG LAKE, AK N8383Q Serious minor
The failure of the pilot of the seaplane and the operator of the jet ski to maintain an adequate visual lookout, which resulted in a collision during …

The failure of the pilot of the seaplane and the operator of the jet ski to maintain an adequate visual lookout, which resulted in a collision during the airplane's landing flare.

Jun 29, 2003 KETCHIKAN, AK N48061 Serious (1) substantial
The pilot's abrupt, excessive pull-up during an intentional low level maneuver, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an ina…

The pilot's abrupt, excessive pull-up during an intentional low level maneuver, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent collision with the water.

Sep 01, 2002 PORT ALSWORTH, AK N185CF Serious (3) substantial
The pilot's inadequate evaluation of the area weather conditions, and his subsequent inability to maintain terrain clearance upon encountering a downd…

The pilot's inadequate evaluation of the area weather conditions, and his subsequent inability to maintain terrain clearance upon encountering a downdraft, which resulted in an in-flight collision with tree-covered mountainous terrain. A factor in the accident was a downdraft.

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.

Aug 27, 1997 IGIUGIG, AK N2743J Serious (3) destroyed
failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, during a maneuvering turn at low altitude, which resulted in an accelerated stall and subsequent c…

failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, during a maneuvering turn at low altitude, which resulted in an accelerated stall and subsequent collision with the terrain. A factor relating to the accident was: the lack of altitude to recover from the stall.

Dec 12, 1994 TAKOTNA, AK N4552F Serious (1) destroyed
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING FOR THE DEPARTURE. A SNOW COVERED RUNWAY, FLAT LIGHTING CONDITIONS, AND A SNOWBANK WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCI…

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING FOR THE DEPARTURE. A SNOW COVERED RUNWAY, FLAT LIGHTING CONDITIONS, AND A SNOWBANK WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

Aug 10, 1991 ANGOON, AK N715V Serious (1) destroyed
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER DESCENT RATE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS PILOT'S INTENTIONAL ABRUPT MANEUVERING AT A LOW ALTITUDE AND T…

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER DESCENT RATE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS PILOT'S INTENTIONAL ABRUPT MANEUVERING AT A LOW ALTITUDE AND THE FLAPS THAT RETRACTED A KNOTCH.

May 25, 1991 STERLING, AK N4649E Serious (1) THE PILOT'S IMPROPER REMEDIAL ACTION.
Sep 13, 1990 TALKEETNA, AK N4861Q Serious (1) substantial FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO OBTAIN OR MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL OR MUSH.
Sep 30, 1989 SHOTGUN HILLS, AK N9706H Serious (1) substantial
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY EVALUATE THE EXISTING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS T…

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY EVALUATE THE EXISTING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S OVERCONFIDENCE IN BOTH PERSONAL ABILITY AND THE ABILITY OF THE AIRCRAFT ALONG WITH THE DOWNDRAFT CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED.

Jul 29, 1987 HOLLYWOOD, FL N9003H Serious (1) substantial Investigation pending
Sep 21, 1986 BROOMFIELD, CO N2674Z Serious (1) substantial Investigation pending
Sep 03, 1984 CUTLER RIVER, AK N4839C Serious (1) substantial Investigation pending
Apr 18, 1984 BELLE CHASSE, LA N69GV Serious (1) minor Investigation pending
Feb 22, 1984 KEY WEST, FL N4460R Serious (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Jun 06, 1983 MCALLEN, TX N4016Y Serious (1) substantial Investigation pending
May 04, 1983 GAYLORD, MI N5222R Serious (1) substantial Investigation pending
Aug 19, 1982 NEAR TYONEK, AK N3489Y Serious (1) substantial Investigation pending
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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