Cessna A185 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 452 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 29, 2009 | Patterson, LA | N4603E | Minor | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed in a turn while attempting to return to land, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing …The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed in a turn while attempting to return to land, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the reported loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. |
| 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. |
| Jul 24, 2008 | Shelton, WA | N6320N | Fatal (2) | destroyed | The pilot's failure to attain and maintain adequate airspeed during initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. |
| Jun 28, 2008 | Rainier, OR | N5403E | Minor | substantial | The inadvertent extension of the left float's landing gear to near the down position due to a failure of the gear's rear hydraulic seal. |
| 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. |
| Aug 26, 2007 | Danube, NY | N1344Q | Incident | substantial | The pilot's mismanagement of the fuel supply. |
| Aug 19, 2007 | Lake City, CO | N185MR | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's improper preflight planning, his inability to attain short field takeoff performance, and his intentional maneuvering of the airplane into…The pilot's improper preflight planning, his inability to attain short field takeoff performance, and his intentional maneuvering of the airplane into bushes and a fence during the aborted takeoff. Factors contributing to the accident were the high density altitude and the tailwind. |
| Jul 20, 2007 | Englewood, CO | N78011 | Incident | substantial |
THIS CASE WAS REVISED 10/31/2007. Low compression in number 2 cylinder, which reduced the airplane's climb capability. Contributing factors in thi…THIS CASE WAS REVISED 10/31/2007. Low compression in number 2 cylinder, which reduced the airplane's climb capability. Contributing factors in this accident were the high density altitude conditions, and the tree. |
| May 30, 2007 | Shearer, ID | N104DE | Serious (1) | substantial | A fracture and separation of the left main landing gear strut during the landing roll due to fatigue. |
| May 18, 2007 | Renton, WA | N8045Q | Incident | substantial | The pilot's loss of aircraft control during a landing attempt, which resulted in an inadvertent ground loop. |
| May 02, 2007 | Haines, AK | N185M | Incident | substantial |
The main landing gear attachment bolts to the right ski sheared during the landing roll in deep snow, resulting in a nose down, and structural damage …The main landing gear attachment bolts to the right ski sheared during the landing roll in deep snow, resulting in a nose down, and structural damage to the right wing and aileron. |
| Apr 14, 2007 | Ashland, ME | N4756E | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while taxiing, which resulted in a nose over. A factor in this accident was the frozen, slush covere…The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while taxiing, which resulted in a nose over. A factor in this accident was the frozen, slush covered lake. |
| Aug 26, 2006 | Valentine, NE | N4730Q | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll, resulting in an inadvertent ground loop by the pilot. A …The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll, resulting in an inadvertent ground loop by the pilot. A factor contributing to the accident was the gusting crosswind condition. |
| Jul 01, 2006 | Clear Lake, MN | N1972U | Fatal (1) | substantial |
The pilot's misjudged flare that resulted in a hard landing and subsequent nose over. A factor to the accident was the grass runway that the forward …The pilot's misjudged flare that resulted in a hard landing and subsequent nose over. A factor to the accident was the grass runway that the forward landing gear dug into during the hard landing, resulting in the amphibian airplane nosing over. |
| Jun 06, 2006 | Turner, ME | N185RW | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point, resulting in a runway undershoot, and substantial damage to the airplane. |
| Jun 04, 2006 | Park Valley, UT | N185JF | Incident | substantial | Incapacitation of the pilot secondary to a myocardial infarction. A ditch was a contributing factor. |
| May 20, 2006 | Columbia, CA | N5468E | Incident | substantial | the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and his failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout. |
| Jan 30, 2006 | Lewiston, ID | N2303Y | Incident | substantial | The failure of the left main landing gear attaching bolt, which resulted in the left main gear collapsing during the landing roll. |
| Jan 29, 2006 | Pembroke, MA | N7574N | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a ground loop and subsequent impact with trees. A factor was the s…The pilot's failure to maintain control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a ground loop and subsequent impact with trees. A factor was the soft runway as reported by the pilot. |
| Nov 19, 2005 | Show Low, AZ | N4562F | Minor | substantial | the pilot's inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions and failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a ground loop. |