How many accidents has the Cessna 185F had?

The NTSB has recorded 106 events involving the Cessna 185F: 8 fatal, 6 serious, 14 minor injuries, and 77 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Cessna 185F a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Cessna 185F has 106 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Cessna 185F Safety Record

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

106

All Events

Incidents

Minor

Serious

Fatal (13 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
Jun 05, 1998	ILIAMNA, AK	N32663	Incident	substantial	The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the hilly terrain.
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.
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	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.
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.
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.
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.
Mar 04, 1995	PORT ALSWORTH, AK	N6166N	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT ACTIVATION OF THE RIGHT BRAKE PEDAL DURING THE LANDING ROLL.
Feb 01, 1995	W.POINT VILLAGE, AK	N1095F	Incident	substantial	A FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. THE PILOT'S EXCESSIVE REMEDIAL REACTION AND LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN THE A… A FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. THE PILOT'S EXCESSIVE REMEDIAL REACTION AND LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT MAKE AND MODEL WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.
Nov 19, 1994	ANCHORAGE, AK	N9618H	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING. THE PILOT'S DISREGARD OF A NOTAM THAT CLOSED THE RUNWAY AND A SLUSH COVERED RUNWAY AREA WERE… THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING. THE PILOT'S DISREGARD OF A NOTAM THAT CLOSED THE RUNWAY AND A SLUSH COVERED RUNWAY AREA WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.
Oct 09, 1994	ROCHESTER, MA	N53074	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadeqaute calculation of fuel and inadeqaute inflight decision which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the loss of engine power.
May 29, 1994	FAIRBANKS, AK	N93769	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF.
May 31, 1993	GUSTAVUS, AK	N185TD	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT MISJUDGING HIS SPEED WHILE LANDING ON A WET GRASS STRIP.
Feb 21, 1993	BRIDGEPORT, NE	N252W	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER RUNWAY ALIGNMENT DURING THE LANDING ROLL.
Dec 13, 1992	LANAI, HI	N4742E	Incident	substantial	THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THAT OBSTRUCTIONS WERE HIDDEN IN THE GRASS OF THE LANDING AREA CHOSE… THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THAT OBSTRUCTIONS WERE HIDDEN IN THE GRASS OF THE LANDING AREA CHOSEN BY THE PILOT FOR THE FORCED LANDING.
Jul 01, 1992	EKUK, AK	N4874Q	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING. A FACTOR WAS THE HIDDEN OBSTRUCTION ON THE SURFACE OF THE LANDING AREA.
Jun 18, 1992	TALKEETNA, AK	N125KT	Incident	substantial	FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. FACTORS INCLUDE TAILWHEEL VIBRATION/SHIMMY, AND AN INADVERTENT GROUND LOOP.
Jul 03, 1991	FAREWELL, AK	N222WH	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE COLLAPSED LEFT MAIN … THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE COLLAPSED LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR, FAILED LEFT BRAKE, AND THE LOW LEVEL OF HYDRAULIC BRAKE FLUID.
Oct 08, 1989	ROCKWOOD, ME	N7321H	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR THE GUSTING CROSSWIND. CONTRIBUTING FACTOR(S) WAS: THE WIND CONDITIONS AND THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF A TOUCHDOWN … THE PILOT'S IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR THE GUSTING CROSSWIND. CONTRIBUTING FACTOR(S) WAS: THE WIND CONDITIONS AND THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF A TOUCHDOWN POINT.

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 185F Safety Record

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