Cessna 185E Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 35 events recorded from 1982 to 2013.

35

All Events

27

Incidents

4

Minor

2

Serious

2

Fatal (6 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Sep 29, 2013 Pilot Point, AK N1592F Incident substantial The pilot's decision to land the airplane on the ramp, in the vicinity of buildings, in gusty wind conditions.
May 18, 2009 Tacoma, WA N70083 Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing with a crosswind.
Apr 26, 2008 Bend, OR N185NH Incident substantial
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control. Contributing to the accident was an unex…

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control. Contributing to the accident was an unexpected crosswind gust.

Jul 31, 2007 Talkeetna, AK N70020 Incident substantial The loss of engine power during cruise flight due to an improperly repaired airbox.
Sep 10, 2005 Pilot Point, AK N1592F Incident substantial The pilot's misjudged landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and an overload failure of the main landing gear during the landing touchdown.
May 26, 2004 Anchorage, AK N70233 Minor substantial
The pilot/owner's failure to ensure that the airplane was in an airworthy condition prior to flight, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power …

The pilot/owner's failure to ensure that the airplane was in an airworthy condition prior to flight, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power and subsequent in-flight collision with a residence during an emergency landing after takeoff. Factors associated with the accident are a contaminated fuel pump, a flow-restricted fuel controller, a flow-restricted distributor valve, worn spark plugs, and inadequate servicing/maintenance of the airplane by other maintenance personnel.

May 20, 2004 King Salmon, AK N1932U Incident substantial
The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during takeoff and initial climb, which resulted in a loss of control, and an in-flight collis…

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during takeoff and initial climb, which resulted in a loss of control, and an in-flight collision with water. A factor contributing to the accident was gusty wind conditions.

Sep 01, 2002 SPARREVOHN, AK N7SR Incident substantial
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing that resulted in separation of the right main gear during the landing roll. A factor in the a…

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing that resulted in separation of the right main gear during the landing roll. A factor in the accident was a rough/uneven gravel bar.

Jun 20, 2000 TALKEETNA, AK N1589F Fatal (4) destroyed
The pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather conditions and subsequent in-flight break-up. Factors in the accident were weather conditions…

The pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather conditions and subsequent in-flight break-up. Factors in the accident were weather conditions consisting of low ceilings, turbulence, and an occluded front with convective activity, and inadequate oversight of the flight by company management.

Jun 23, 1999 EAST HADDAM, CT N3385L Serious (1) substantial The loss of engine power due to water in the fuel system.
Apr 23, 1999 HAINES, AK N3539F Minor substantial The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty crosswind conditions.
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 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.
Jul 15, 1998 MCGRATH, AK N2750J Incident substantial The loss of engine power for a undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the trees.
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 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.

Mar 24, 1998 ANCHORAGE, AK N1987U Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions during landing. A factor was the crosswind.
Feb 24, 1998 ANCHORAGE, AK N4535F Incident substantial A separation of the axle from the landing gear strut due to overload, and stripping of the axle bolt threads.
Sep 21, 1997 WASILLA, AK N70122 Incident substantial
The loss of engine power due to water contaminated fuel, and the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane. A factor associated with th…

The loss of engine power due to water contaminated fuel, and the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane. A factor associated with the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.

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.

Aug 26, 1997 KING SALMON, AK N454CF Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing the oversize tire equipped airplane on dry, newly surfaced, asphalt.
Feb 04, 1993 NORTH BEND, OR N5849J Minor substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, AND INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION. FACTORS INCLUDE A POOR INFLIGHT DECISION, AND GUSTY CROSSWINDS.
Aug 30, 1992 YAKUTAT, AK N3347L Incident substantial THE PILOT IN COMMAND NOT MAINTAINING DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE.
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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