Cessna A185E Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 73 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 02, 2025 | Warren, ID | N2252T | Incident | substantial |
The pilot’s failure to adequately compensate for a wind gust during the departure roll, which resulted in a loss of directional control and a runway e…The pilot’s failure to adequately compensate for a wind gust during the departure roll, which resulted in a loss of directional control and a runway excursion. |
| Oct 12, 2024 | Seattle, WA | N185WK | Incident | substantial | The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing roll with a crosswind. |
| Aug 14, 2024 | Eveleth, MN | N2248T | Incident | substantial | Water contamination of the fuel system which resulted in a total loss of engine power. Contributing was the pilot’s inadequate preflight. |
| Jun 13, 2024 | Nampa, ID | N2768J | Incident | substantial | Loss of directional control during the takeoff roll. |
| Oct 22, 2022 | York, PA | N36ZN | Incident | substantial | Oil starvation of the number 1 connecting rod bearings, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. |
| May 27, 2022 | Willow, AK | N1694M | Incident | substantial | The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing which resulted in a nose over. |
| Apr 12, 2020 | Eagle River, AK | N185RN | Serious (2) | substantial |
The pilot’s failure to ensure adequate fuel onboard prior to the planned flight, resulting in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and …The pilot’s failure to ensure adequate fuel onboard prior to the planned flight, resulting in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and an aerodynamic stall during the subsequent emergency landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s reliance on an improperly programmed fuel totalizer. |
| Jul 11, 2017 | Nampa, ID | N185LC | Incident | substantial | The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the tailwheel airplane during the landing roll. |
| Jan 07, 2015 | Lewiston, ME | N70037 | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to properly set the throttle prior to engine start, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with parked airplanes. |
| Apr 19, 2014 | Somerville, NJ | N2219T | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in a gusty crosswind. |
| Jul 29, 2013 | Kotzebue, AK | N4557F | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's lack of situational awareness and failure to maintain adequate clearance from terrain during takeoff. Factors contributing to the accident…The pilot's lack of situational awareness and failure to maintain adequate clearance from terrain during takeoff. Factors contributing to the accident was the check airmen’s inadequate supervision. |
| Apr 07, 2013 | Cottonwood, ID | N2303Y | Incident | substantial | The pilot’s failure to see and avoid an object on the grass airstrip during the takeoff. |
| Jan 05, 2013 | Skwentna, AK | N4538F | Incident | substantial | The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a main landing gear collapse. |
| Oct 22, 2012 | Talkeetna, AK | N1694M | Incident | substantial | The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a ground loop. |
| Jul 18, 2011 | La Tuque, CA | C-FZNK | Fatal (1) | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Mar 10, 2010 | Ophir, AK | N70039 | Incident | substantial | The total loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. |
| Oct 14, 2009 | Healy, AK | N2764J | Fatal (1) | substantial |
The pilot's decision to maneuver at a low altitude over rising terrain in conditions conducive to turbulence/downdrafts, resulting in a loss of contro…The pilot's decision to maneuver at a low altitude over rising terrain in conditions conducive to turbulence/downdrafts, resulting in a loss of control and impact with terrain. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Sep 01, 2005 | San Andreas, CA | N1644M | Incident | substantial | the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane upon encountering a dust devil during the takeoff roll. |
| Apr 18, 2005 | Wasilla, AK | N4557F | Incident | substantial |
The flight instructor's failure to provide adequate supervision of the second pilot during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of control and a…The flight instructor's failure to provide adequate supervision of the second pilot during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of control and an intentional ground-loop by the instructor. A factor in the accident was the dual student's ( a certificated private pilot) loss of directional control during the landing roll. |