Cessna 185A Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 20 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.

20

All Events

15

Incidents

1

Minor

2

Serious

2

Fatal (4 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Sep 27, 2025 Ilwaco, WA N186X Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Oct 07, 2020 Romsey, UK G-BLOS Serious (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Apr 30, 2011 Bend, OR N1679Z Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Dec 01, 2010 Madras, OR N1699Z Incident minor The failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other airplane while in the traffic pattern to land, which resulted in a midair collision.
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.

May 16, 2004 Polson, MT N1624H Incident substantial
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the changing wind conditions at the time of the landing. Factors include gusty, variable, crosswinds, and a ru…

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the changing wind conditions at the time of the landing. Factors include gusty, variable, crosswinds, and a runway marker near the edge of the runway the pilot was landing on.

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.

Oct 23, 1997 DAMASCUS, OR N714 Fatal (2) destroyed
failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance from terrain. Factors relating to the accident included: darkness, and hilly/mountaino…

failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance from terrain. Factors relating to the accident included: darkness, and hilly/mountainous terrain.

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.

Dec 22, 1994 LONG BEACH, CA N101LL Incident substantial the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft both during the landing and the attempted rejected landing maneuver.
Sep 22, 1993 DE BORGIA, MT N4176Y Fatal (2) destroyed THE PILOT'S POOR IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED ABOVE A STALL.
May 23, 1993 LOWELL, ID N4080Y Incident substantial FATIGUE OF THE ROCKER ARM AND UNSUITABLE TERRAIN WHICH WAS ENCOUNTERED DURING THE PRECAUTIONARY LANDING.
Jul 13, 1991 WOOD RIVER, AK N1689Z Incident substantial
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL. SOFT SAND IN THE EMERGENCY L…

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL. SOFT SAND IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

Jul 06, 1991 VALDEZ, AK N5081H Minor substantial LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON DURING AN APPROACH TO LAND.
Aug 02, 1990 AMERICUS, GA N710 Incident substantial Investigation pending
Jul 28, 1987 HILLSBORO, ND N1686Z Incident substantial Investigation pending
Mar 13, 1987 MIDLAND, TX N3306R Incident substantial Investigation pending
Sep 14, 1983 ANIAK, AK N1688Z Incident substantial Investigation pending
Dec 14, 1982 SAWMILL BAY, AK N4939Q Incident destroyed Investigation pending
May 15, 1982 MARION, MT N4175Y Incident 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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