Cessna A185E Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 73 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 09, 2005 | Tucson, AZ | N4530F | Incident | substantial |
a loss of directional control due to the failure of unknown maintenance personnel to install the tailwheel-locking collar, and the inadequate maintena…a loss of directional control due to the failure of unknown maintenance personnel to install the tailwheel-locking collar, and the inadequate maintenance inspection of the worn tailwheel steering arm. |
| Oct 03, 2004 | Luna, NM | N5964 | Fatal (1) | destroyed |
the pilot's improper use of the mixture control, his failure to maintain clearance from the trees, and his improper preflight planning resulting in hi…the pilot's improper use of the mixture control, his failure to maintain clearance from the trees, and his improper preflight planning resulting in his taking off into a canyon and subsequently impacting the trees and terrain. Factors contributing to the accident were the trees, and the high density altitude. |
| May 08, 2004 | Englewood, CO | N185K | Serious (1) | substantial |
the pilot's inadequate preflight planning which failed to verify an adequate fuel supply and his inadequate in-flight planning/decision which resulte…the pilot's inadequate preflight planning which failed to verify an adequate fuel supply and his inadequate in-flight planning/decision which resulted in fuel exhaustion. The inadequate indication of his fuel quantity system is a contributing factor. |
| Apr 16, 2004 | Hastings, MN | N185TY | Minor | substantial |
The pilot not verifying the fuel selector valve's position during the preflight leading to the fuel starvation and subsequent loss of engine power dur…The pilot not verifying the fuel selector valve's position during the preflight leading to the fuel starvation and subsequent loss of engine power during the flight's initial climb. |
| Oct 14, 2003 | Cedarville, MI | N3399L | Incident | substantial | A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor associated with the accident was the rough terrain on which the airplane was landed. |
| May 23, 2002 | Grand Marais, MN | N4747Q | Incident | substantial |
The pilot displayed inadequate compensation for the wind conditions that existed at the time of the accident and directional control was not maintaine…The pilot displayed inadequate compensation for the wind conditions that existed at the time of the accident and directional control was not maintained. A factor associated with the accident was the crosswind weather condition. |
| Apr 28, 2002 | Greeley, CO | N4730Q | Incident | substantial | the inadvertent ground loop during landing roll. A contributing factor was the partial brake system failure. |
| Oct 21, 2001 | Winnemucca, NV | N7711L | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, failure to maintain directional control and use of excessive braking, which resulted in t…The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, failure to maintain directional control and use of excessive braking, which resulted in the airplane nosing over. |
| Oct 17, 1999 | LAKE WALES, FL | N85PR | Minor | substantial |
The partial loss of engine power due to the inadequate annual inspection of the airplane by the mechanic with IA for his failure to assure that the mi…The partial loss of engine power due to the inadequate annual inspection of the airplane by the mechanic with IA for his failure to assure that the mixture control cable jam nut at the rod end was secured following the reported adjustment by the airplane owner who is not a certificated mechanic. This resulted in the separation of the mixture control cable and the uncommanded movement of the mixture control to the midrnage point between midrange and the idle cut-off position. |
| Oct 07, 1999 | YAKUTAT, AK | N85CG | Incident | substantial | The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area. A factor associated with the accident was soft terrain. |
| Aug 30, 1999 | ANCHORAGE, AK | N124LR | Incident | substantial | The total loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. |
| May 21, 1999 | OTHELLO, WA | N50AU | Incident | substantial | The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions after landing. Factors include gusty winds. |
| Apr 16, 1997 | BILLINGS, MT | N70194 | Incident | substantial | The flight instructor's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions. The crosswind conditions were a factor. |
| Nov 03, 1996 | PRICE, UT | N19EC | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. |
| Oct 24, 1996 | GIDDINGS, TX | N185XX | Serious (1) | substantial |
The loss of engine power as result of an oil leak due to a pinched 'O' ring in the oil filter. Factors were the improper installation of the oil filte…The loss of engine power as result of an oil leak due to a pinched 'O' ring in the oil filter. Factors were the improper installation of the oil filter, and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. |
| Aug 15, 1996 | CODY, WY | N185K | Incident | substantial |
failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane and runway alignment during the takeoff roll. Factors relating to the accident we…failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane and runway alignment during the takeoff roll. Factors relating to the accident were: the crosswind, and possible dragging of the right brake. |
| May 05, 1996 | CASCADE, ID | N185MP | Incident | substantial |
the pilot's improper planning/decision, his failure to ensure that the airplane would maintain proper clearance from obstructions (trees), and his del…the pilot's improper planning/decision, his failure to ensure that the airplane would maintain proper clearance from obstructions (trees), and his delay in aborting the takeoff. The soft/wet runway and tailwind were related factors. |
| Mar 11, 1996 | SHIRLEY, ME | N712MY | Minor | substantial | the pilot's fuel mismanagement and improper use of the fuel selector valve which resulted in fuel starvation. |
| Oct 24, 1995 | LIBERAL, KS | N1613M | Minor | substantial | the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of directional control and an inadvertent ground swerve. |
| Oct 04, 1995 | OLA, ID | N70221 | Incident | substantial | The pilot's inadequate preflight preparation by failing to determine that the takeoff area was clear of obstructions. The rock was a factor. |
| Aug 14, 1995 | DICKINSON, ND | N47428 | Incident | substantial | the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, and his improper recovery from the bounced landing. The high wind was a factor. |
| Jan 21, 1995 | HILLSBORO, OR | N748 | Incident | substantial | A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. |
| Sep 22, 1994 | JUNEAU, AK | CFVZP | Fatal (2) | substantial | ATTEMPTED VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: CLOUDS AND MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. |
| Jun 06, 1993 | ANCHORAGE, AK | N70020 | Minor | substantial |
THE PILOT IN COMMAND EXCEEDING THE MAXIMUM AUTHORIZED GROSS TAKEOFF WEIGHT OF THE AIRPLANE AND HIS FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS. A F…THE PILOT IN COMMAND EXCEEDING THE MAXIMUM AUTHORIZED GROSS TAKEOFF WEIGHT OF THE AIRPLANE AND HIS FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE GUSTY WIND CONDITION. |
| 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. |