Cessna A185F Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 308 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.

308

All Events

215

Incidents

34

Minor

13

Serious

45

Fatal (82 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Jul 09, 2023 La Mesa, CA N1839R Minor substantial A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Jul 05, 2022 Plymouth, CT N2423A Minor substantial The pilot’s encounter with known and forecast adverse weather which resulted in a collision with trees during the initial climb.
Mar 20, 2021 Fairbanks, AK N58316 Minor substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop.
Aug 15, 2020 Sugar Land, TX N5418E Minor substantial
A total loss of engine power after takeoff for undetermined reasons, and the pilot’s subsequent exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack …

A total loss of engine power after takeoff for undetermined reasons, and the pilot’s subsequent exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

Oct 19, 2013 Northeast Carry, ME N93037 Minor substantial
The pilot's improper decision to take off for an intended night water landing, and his subsequent loss of depth perception during that landing attempt…

The pilot's improper decision to take off for an intended night water landing, and his subsequent loss of depth perception during that landing attempt.

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.

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.
Oct 17, 2004 White Bird, ID N101AM Minor substantial
The pilot's failure to attain the proper airspeed for takeoff and his improper soft-field takeoff procedure. Factors contributing to the accident inc…

The pilot's failure to attain the proper airspeed for takeoff and his improper soft-field takeoff procedure. Factors contributing to the accident included the pilot's improper preflight planning, the fence, and the closed exhaust stack.

May 27, 2004 Pontianak, ID PK-YME Minor substantial Investigation pending
May 25, 2003 Guymon, OK N6578E Minor substantial The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind, and his failure to maintain directional control. A factor was the crosswind.
May 26, 2000 MIXCOLAJA, GT N4871Q Minor substantial Investigation pending
Feb 07, 2000 LOVELAND, CO N721 Minor substantial Failure of the pilot in command to maintain directional control, resulting in an inadvertent ground loop. A factor was the crosswind.
May 30, 1999 CHAPIN, SC N881FD Minor substantial The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the collision with a utility wire.
May 16, 1998 TALKEETNA, AK N1473F Minor substantial The pilot selected the wrong runway and intentionally ground looped to stop the airplane. Related factors were the tailwind and whiteout conditions.
Jul 02, 1997 BAY ST. LOUIS, MS N5054R Minor substantial
The pilot's improper short field landing procedure and use of full flaps prior to being assured of reaching the proper touchdown point, resulting in a…

The pilot's improper short field landing procedure and use of full flaps prior to being assured of reaching the proper touchdown point, resulting in an in-flight collision with an embankment, and subsequent nose over. Contributing to the accident was a total loss of engine power due to improper fuel management resulting in fuel exhaustion.

Jun 28, 1997 CHARLTON, MA N39CC Minor substantial The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons..
Dec 23, 1994 ERIE, CO N8389Q Minor substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED RESULTING IN THE INADVERTENT STALL.
May 13, 1994 HEMPSTEAD, NY N30NC Minor substantial THE INADVERTENT COLLISION WITH A HIDDEN OBSTRUCTION AFTER SWERVING TO AVOID BIRDS DURING A WATER TAKEOFF.
Jun 25, 1992 RONAN, MT N4690C Minor substantial
THE PILOT'S OPERATION WITH KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN EQUIPMENT AND ERRATIC OPERATION OF THE FUEL CONTROL SYSTEM. A FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS…

THE PILOT'S OPERATION WITH KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN EQUIPMENT AND ERRATIC OPERATION OF THE FUEL CONTROL SYSTEM. A FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: SOFT TERRAIN.

Jul 21, 1991 VERNON, OH N185GS Minor destroyed
THE PILOT ROTATED THE AIRPLANE PREMATURELY AND CONTINUED THE CLIMB AT A DECK ANGLE THAT EVENTUALLY RESULTED IN A STALL. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDEN…

THE PILOT ROTATED THE AIRPLANE PREMATURELY AND CONTINUED THE CLIMB AT A DECK ANGLE THAT EVENTUALLY RESULTED IN A STALL. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S COMPLACENCY, FAILURE TO DETERMINE THE AIRPLANE'S PERFORMANCE CAPABILITIES PRIOR TO TAKE OFF AND HE TOOK OFF UP HILL WITH A QUARTERING TAIL WIND.

Mar 21, 1991 GALENA, AK N735HB Minor substantial Investigation pending
Feb 11, 1990 SUN RIVER, OR N6045N Minor substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY COMPENSATE FOR STRONG CROSSWINDS DURING TAKEOFF GROUND ROLL.
May 04, 1989 CHARLOTTE, NC CGCMT Minor destroyed
COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE FUEL EXHAUSTION WAS DUE TO THE PILOT NOT ASSURING AN ADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY FOR THE FLIGHT BY …

COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE FUEL EXHAUSTION WAS DUE TO THE PILOT NOT ASSURING AN ADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY FOR THE FLIGHT BY VISUAL INSPECTION DURING HIS PREFLIGHT INSPECTION. CONTRIBUTING WAS THE PILOT'S DECISION TO CONTINUE FLIGHT WITH A KNOWN INACCURACY IN THE FUEL QUANTITY INDICATING SYSTEM.

Oct 23, 1988 TRUMBAUERSVILLE, PA N185SH Minor substantial
AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING IN WHICH THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK TREES AND A SWING SET, FOLLOWING A POWER LOSS CAUSED BY THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO DETERMINE THAT…

AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING IN WHICH THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK TREES AND A SWING SET, FOLLOWING A POWER LOSS CAUSED BY THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO DETERMINE THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS IN THE OFF POSITION AND TO TURN IT ON PRIOR TO THE POWER LOSS.

Apr 10, 1987 GILLETTE, WY N6670N Minor substantial Investigation pending
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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