Cessna 185F Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 106 events recorded from 1982 to 2007.

106

All Events

77

Incidents

14

Minor

6

Serious

8

Fatal (13 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Oct 17, 2000 DRIGGS, ID N93981 Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Factors include soft terrain adjacent to the runway.
Sep 16, 2000 BURNET, TX N34NC Minor substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while landing. A factor was the crosswind.
Aug 12, 2000 BARROW, AK N20752 Incident substantial The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. A factor in the accident was a hidden obstruction, and soft terrain.
May 19, 2000 ANCHORAGE, AK N1789 Minor substantial
The pilot's improper remedial action and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing. A factor in the accident was the…

The pilot's improper remedial action and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing. A factor in the accident was the pilot's excessive use of the airplane brakes.

Apr 30, 2000 POTTSTOWN, PA N6535E Incident substantial
The second pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and the inadequate supervision of the flight instructor. Factors related to the accide…

The second pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and the inadequate supervision of the flight instructor. Factors related to the accident were the crosswind and gusting wind conditions.

Sep 19, 1999 PILOT POINT, AK N60859 Incident substantial
The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. Factors in the accident were the pilot's inadequate evaluation of the weather conditions, a …

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. Factors in the accident were the pilot's inadequate evaluation of the weather conditions, a downdraft, and swampy terrain.

Sep 15, 1999 DELTA JUNCTION, AK N85LC Minor substantial
Corrosion and a fatigue failure of the lower end of the landing gear strut. Factors in the accident were the manufacturer's and the FAA's insufficien…

Corrosion and a fatigue failure of the lower end of the landing gear strut. Factors in the accident were the manufacturer's and the FAA's insufficient standards/requirements for life limits and inspection procedures.

Sep 16, 1998 FAIRBANKS, AK N93904 Incident substantial The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff and his failure to maintain adequate obstacle clearance.
Aug 12, 1998 VENICE, LA N4810 Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during high speed step-taxi. A factor was the swell left by the boat.
Jun 21, 1998 CHITINA, AK N80596 Incident substantial The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. Factors in the accident were uneven and soft terrain on the landing strip.
Jun 05, 1998 ILIAMNA, AK N32663 Incident substantial The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the hilly terrain.
Apr 09, 1998 NIGHTMUTE, AK N5485R Fatal (2) destroyed
The pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of aircraft co…

The pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of aircraft control. Factors in the accident were meteorological conditions consisting of low ceilings, and blowing snow, and the pilot's failure to obtain a preflight weather briefing.

Apr 03, 1998 COLDFOOT, AK N1205F Incident substantial The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff. Soft, snow covered terrain was a factor in the accident.
Oct 31, 1997 BARROW, AK N61500 Incident substantial
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, and his delay in aborting the takeoff. A factor in the accident was the presence of gravel/s…

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, and his delay in aborting the takeoff. A factor in the accident was the presence of gravel/sand in the takeoff area.

Oct 05, 1997 OAKLAND, CA N17SR Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing crosswind condition, which resulted in a loss of directional control.
Aug 31, 1997 KOTZEBUE, AK N93276 Incident substantial The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area. A factor was the short length of the off-airport site.
Aug 25, 1997 BARROW, AK N20752 Incident substantial
the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, which resulted in a ground s…

the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, which resulted in a ground swerve and damage to the airplane. A factor relating to the accident was: the crosswind condition.

Jun 19, 1997 SITKA, AK N60859 Incident substantial
failure of the pilot(s) to properly flare the airplane during a simulated forced landing. The excessive rate of descent on final approach was a relat…

failure of the pilot(s) to properly flare the airplane during a simulated forced landing. The excessive rate of descent on final approach was a related factor.

Jun 14, 1997 BAGOTVILLE, CA N4758E Fatal (3) destroyed Investigation pending
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.

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.

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.
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.
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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