How many accidents has the Cessna A185F had?

The NTSB has recorded 308 events involving the Cessna A185F: 45 fatal, 13 serious, 34 minor injuries, and 215 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Cessna A185F a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Cessna A185F has 308 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Cessna A185F Safety Record

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

308

All Events

215

Incidents

Minor

Serious

Fatal (82 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
Sep 13, 2012	Denali Park, AK	N4786Q	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from an electric transmission line during the approach to land because he was distracted by the airplane’s b… The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from an electric transmission line during the approach to land because he was distracted by the airplane’s broken and deflected landing ski. Contributing to the accident was the in-flight failure of the right ski connecting bolt and the subsequent ski deflection.
Sep 09, 2012	Cambria, CA	N80SS	Incident	substantial	A partial loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane sank in the ocean and was not recove… A partial loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane sank in the ocean and was not recovered.
Aug 31, 2012	Gerlach, NV	N3946Q	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.
Jul 22, 2012	Mapleton, ME	N5168E	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power, and his use of an improper engine restart pr… The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power, and his use of an improper engine restart procedure.
Jun 13, 2012	Winnett, MT	CG-ZVF	Incident	substantial	A momentary loss of engine power, which led to an emergency descent at night during which the airplane collided with a wire. The reason for the loss o… A momentary loss of engine power, which led to an emergency descent at night during which the airplane collided with a wire. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined because postaccident examination and operation did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Jun 02, 2012	Skwentna, AK	N1795R	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power in cruise flight. Contributing to the acciden… The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power in cruise flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to follow the checklist after the loss of engine power.
May 16, 2012	Crystal Falls, MI	N4742E	Incident	substantial	The pilot's abrupt maneuver to avoid deer that unexpectedly ran into the airplane's path during the landing roll.
Mar 17, 2012	Fort Worth, TX	N185GS	Incident	substantial	The pilot did not maintain directional control of the airplane while landing in gusty wind conditions.
Nov 23, 2011	Talkeetna, AK	N121EE	Incident	substantial	A broken wheel/ski clevis pin, which allowed the ski to pivot upward and strike the right wing lift strut.
Sep 06, 2011	Hays, KS	N550DP	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a loss of control.
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.
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.
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.

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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Cessna A185F Safety Record

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