Cessna A185 Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 452 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.

452

All Events

325

Incidents

48

Minor

20

Serious

58

Fatal (100 fatalities)
Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Jul 24, 1994 ANCHORAGE, AK N1758R Incident substantial THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE LANDING FLARE. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE GLASSY WATER.
May 25, 1994 CHAPEL HILL, NC N8527Q Incident substantial
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL. FACTORS WERE THE CRO…

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL. FACTORS WERE THE CROSSWINDS AND GUSTS PREVAILING AT THE AIRPORT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.
Apr 08, 1994 PAXSON, AK N8191Q Incident substantial THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND DID NOT MAINTAIN PROPER CLEARANCE FROM THE SNOW BERM. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SNOW BERM.
Feb 10, 1994 VALLEY SPRINGS, CA N4833C Incident substantial the pilot's failure to ensure that the landing gear was in the correct configuration for a water landing.
Nov 30, 1993 MAYBELL, CO N6613N Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ASCERTAIN THE CONDITION OF THE LANDING AREA. THE SNOW COVERED CONDITION OF THE RUNWAY WAS A FACTOR.
Nov 08, 1993 CHEFORNAK, AK N185FK Incident substantial THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR THE GUSTY CROSS WIND CONDITION. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE WIND GUST.
Sep 02, 1993 PILOTTOWN, LA N6279E Incident — THE PILOT IN COMMAND BECOMING PHYSICALLY INCAPACITATED (HEART ATTACK).
May 31, 1993 KAHILTNA GLACIE, AK N333DG Incident substantial THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND NOT MAINTAINING DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. A FACTOR IS THE ROUGH CONDITION OF THE GLACIER AIRSTRIP.
May 27, 1993 BELLEVUE, WA N2215T Incident substantial FAILURE OF THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR SHOCK STRUT.
May 22, 1993 TIMBALIER ISLE, LA N3588 Incident substantial PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION IN THE SELECTION OF HIS TAKEOFF ROUTE. A FACTOR WAS THE SAND BAR
Apr 23, 1993 GOOSE BAY, AK N5077G Incident substantial
THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT'S DELAY OF REMEDIAL ACTION DURING THE SIMULATED FORCED LANDING. FACTORS WERE THE DUAL STUDENT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER D…

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT'S DELAY OF REMEDIAL ACTION DURING THE SIMULATED FORCED LANDING. FACTORS WERE THE DUAL STUDENT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER DESCENT RATE, AND HIS FAILURE TO ATTAIN PROPER ALIGNMENT WITH THE RUNWAY PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN.
Feb 23, 1993 FAIRBANKS, AK N37BC Incident substantial
THE FUEL SYSTEM SELECTOR VALVE BEING PLACED IN THE OFF POSITION DUE TO THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE FUEL SELECTOR PLACARD BY AN UNQUALIFIED PERSON…

THE FUEL SYSTEM SELECTOR VALVE BEING PLACED IN THE OFF POSITION DUE TO THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE FUEL SELECTOR PLACARD BY AN UNQUALIFIED PERSON. THE SNOW COVERED FORCED LANDING AREA WAS A FACTOR.
Jan 30, 1993 INGLEWOOD, WA N5391R Incident substantial FUEL EXHAUSTION, THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT, AND HIS FAILURE TO FLARE ON LANDING. A FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS FOG.
Oct 03, 1992 ADMIRALTY ISL, AK N4755Q Incident substantial THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE SOFT SAND.
Aug 26, 1992 ST. CLOUD, MN N185RF Incident substantial FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO ABORT TAKEOFF BEFORE OVERRUNNING THE LAKE EDGE.
Aug 19, 1992 AMELIA, LA N1867Q Incident substantial THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR TAKEOFF.
Aug 13, 1992 ENNIS, MT N1207Q Incident substantial DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: A LOOSE GRAVEL AIRSTRIP, WIND GUSTS AND INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION.
Aug 07, 1992 KETCHIKAN, AK N4766E Incident substantial THE PILOT IN COMMAND/INSTRUCTOR PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE GROUND RUN.
Jul 29, 1992 CADILLAC, MI N4573F Incident substantial THE PILOT'S PREMATURE LIFTOFF AND SUBSEQUENT STALL MUSH.
Jul 21, 1992 MAXTON, NC N1823R Incident substantial THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITION AND THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF THE PILOT IN TRAINING.
May 23, 1992 SPRAY, OR N61167 Incident substantial THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING. FACTORS INCLUDE SOFT AND UNEVEN TERRAIN.
Apr 09, 1992 BILLINGS, MT N135NC Incident substantial A WORN TAILWHEEL STEERING SYSTEM AND INADEQUATE INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE CROSSWIND CONDITION.
Mar 28, 1992 FAIRBANKS, AK N3332S Incident substantial POOR IN FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: SNOW COVERED TERRAIN, AND WRONG RUNWAY NOT IDENTIFIED.
Oct 17, 1991 DOG SALMON RIV, AK N2756J Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DOWNDRAFT.
Oct 06, 1991 AMBER BAY, AK N1681R Incident substantial THE PILOT'S LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNFAVORABLE WIND.
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.
← Cessna A185 For Sale All Cessna Models
Data source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database · About our data
View 1 Cessna A185 for sale ↓