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
Aug 21, 2011 Polson, MT N61609 Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.
Jun 30, 2011 Page, AZ N80293 Incident substantial The pilot's decision to take off with a gusty quartering tailwind.
Jun 18, 2011 Trinca, NJ N714TX Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control, and the flight instructor's inadequate remedial action, which resulted in a ground-loop.
May 17, 2011 Talkeetna, AK N125KT Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.
May 03, 2011 Ocean City, NJ N6389E Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.
Apr 28, 2011 Hot Springs, AR N2530S Incident substantial The pilot’s improper recovery from a bounced landing.
Mar 19, 2011 Aniak, AK N5182H Incident substantial The inadvertent contact with a rut in the snow while taxiing, resulting in the collapse of the right main landing gear.
Mar 07, 2011 Belle Chase, LA N434JG Incident substantial The pilot's failure to ensure that the landing gear was retracted for the water landing.
Sep 13, 2010 Rushville, NE N714AL Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the loss of visual reference due …

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the loss of visual reference due to the sun glare.

Sep 06, 2010 Santa Ynez, CA N4622C Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control, likely due to the inadvertent control interference by a passenger. A finding in the accident was …

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control, likely due to the inadvertent control interference by a passenger. A finding in the accident was the pilot's improper pre flight briefing.

Aug 11, 2010 Farmington, NM N4492 Incident substantial
Pre-existing damage of the through-bolt that attached the inboard end of the gear leg to the airframe hard-point, likely caused during maintenance on …

Pre-existing damage of the through-bolt that attached the inboard end of the gear leg to the airframe hard-point, likely caused during maintenance on the gear.

Jul 18, 2010 Coeur d'Alene, ID N619VM Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate compensation for a wind gust during the landing roll.
Jun 23, 2010 Bryce Canyon, UT N55TA Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswinds during takeoff.
Mar 10, 2010 Ophir, AK N70039 Incident substantial The total loss of engine power for an undetermined reason.
Oct 18, 2009 Sand Coulee, MT N1677R Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing with a crosswind.
Jul 30, 2009 River Falls, WI N989DM Incident substantial
The pilot not checking the security of the fuel caps prior to flight leading to fuel exhaustion and the subsequent non-mechanical loss of engine power…

The pilot not checking the security of the fuel caps prior to flight leading to fuel exhaustion and the subsequent non-mechanical loss of engine power during descent.

Jul 06, 2009 Skwentna, AK N4448R Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to recognize his proximity to the glassy water landing surface while flying in smoke haze, and his failure to maintain a proper de…

The pilot's failure to recognize his proximity to the glassy water landing surface while flying in smoke haze, and his failure to maintain a proper descent rate during the landing approach.

Jun 02, 2009 Wenatchee, WA N1015F Incident substantial The pilot's misjudged approach and failure to attain the proper touchdown point.
Apr 16, 2009 Bisbee, AZ N7802F Incident substantial The flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight and inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.
Dec 05, 2008 Alton, IL N185KS Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to compensate for the crosswind during landing, resulting in loss of control of the aircraft and the subsequent nose-over of the a…

The pilot's failure to compensate for the crosswind during landing, resulting in loss of control of the aircraft and the subsequent nose-over of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the crosswind.

Oct 19, 2008 Angleton, TX N93291 Incident substantial
The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for the pilot to execute the forced …

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for the pilot to execute the forced landing.

Oct 09, 2008 Kenai, AK N9380N Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from high vegetation while taxiing after landing.
Sep 04, 2008 Lakeview, OR N185ZZ Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. A contributing factor was the rough terrain.
May 03, 2008 Mexican Hat, UT N185KH Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control.
Sep 26, 2007 Lexington, OR N6497E Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll which resulted in an inadvertent ground loop/swerve.
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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