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
May 27, 2004 Pontianak, ID PK-YME Minor substantial Investigation pending
May 19, 2004 Molalla, OR N61611 Fatal (1) destroyed
The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision which resulted in VFR flight into IMC, and his failure to maintain control. Factors include mounta…

The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision which resulted in VFR flight into IMC, and his failure to maintain control. Factors include mountain obscuration, clouds and convective weather conditions.

Feb 29, 2004 Tucson, AZ N338H Incident substantial the pilot's inadequate compensation for the quartering tailwind and failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout.
Feb 07, 2004 FOWLER, CA N8702Z Incident substantial
the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power due to an inadequate fuel supply. A fa…

the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power due to an inadequate fuel supply. A factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of familiarity with the airplane.

Aug 23, 2003 Marion, OH N44222 Incident substantial Fatigue and corrosion of the right main landing gear attachment, which resulted in a gear collapse while landing.
Jul 22, 2003 Angel Fire, NM N60VA Incident substantial
the instructor's inadequate supervision which resulted in the pilot's loss of directional control and the subsequent impact with the ditch. Contributi…

the instructor's inadequate supervision which resulted in the pilot's loss of directional control and the subsequent impact with the ditch. Contributing factors include the instructor's inadequate remedial action and the inadvertent ground loop/swerve.

Jul 01, 2003 Eveleth, MN N30CM Incident substantial The pilot's misjudgment of speed and distance resulting in an overrun. Factors were the ditch embankment, and the tailwind component.
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.
Mar 27, 2003 Grand Junction, CO N53008 Fatal (4) destroyed
the pilot's poor judgment and his failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing factors were the high winds and downdrafts, and the pilot's self-…

the pilot's poor judgment and his failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing factors were the high winds and downdrafts, and the pilot's self-induced pressure to go home.

Sep 04, 2002 Howard, CO N24GS Fatal (1) destroyed
the pilot's failure to maintain clearance of the terrain. Contributing factors were the clear air turbulent weather condition, and the high density a…

the pilot's failure to maintain clearance of the terrain. Contributing factors were the clear air turbulent weather condition, and the high density altitude condition.

Aug 28, 2002 KODIAK, AK N7300R Fatal (2) substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his operation of the airplane in an over gross condition. A contributing factor was noncomplian…

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his operation of the airplane in an over gross condition. A contributing factor was noncompliance with written company weight and balance procedures.

Jun 07, 2002 ANGWIN, CA N714WH Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions resulted in a loss of directional control and a ground loop/swerve.
Jun 01, 2002 Necedah, WI N185NR Incident substantial Directional control of the airplane not maintained by the pilot. The gusting winds was a contributing factor.
May 30, 2002 Pleasant Mount, PA N1577B Fatal (2) destroyed
The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision resulting in flight into adverse weather, and his failure to maintain aircraft control, resulting i…

The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision resulting in flight into adverse weather, and his failure to maintain aircraft control, resulting in overstress of the aircraft. A factor was the thunderstorm activity.

Nov 06, 2001 Lucile, ID N61909 Fatal (1) destroyed
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude above, and/or clearance with, mountainous terrain during night visual flight rules flight. Factors …

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude above, and/or clearance with, mountainous terrain during night visual flight rules flight. Factors included mountainous terrain and dark night light conditions.

Oct 03, 2001 Houma, LA N727 Incident substantial the pilot's high flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Aug 05, 2001 Crane Lake, MN N2904Q Serious (1) substantial The inadvertant control interference by the passenger's knee leading to the pilot's directional control of the floatplane not being possible.
Jun 16, 2001 Ash Fork, AZ N4805 Incident substantial The pilot's misjudged touchdown location on a short runway. Contributing factors were the presence of a tailwind and the proximity of trees.
Apr 16, 2001 Fayetteville, NC N252W Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane after encounter wind gusts during landing roll resulting in the airplane ground lo…

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane after encounter wind gusts during landing roll resulting in the airplane ground looping to the left and the right wing, right horizontal stabilizer, and right elevator contacting the runway and receiving substantial damage.

Dec 03, 2000 LYNWOOD, WA N7609Q Incident substantial Fuel exhaustion due to refueling was not performed by the pilot-in-command. Trees and a fence were factors.
Sep 28, 2000 SMITHERS, CA N90151 Fatal (3) destroyed Investigation pending
Sep 08, 2000 RUIDOSO, NM N269DP Incident substantial the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing roll. A contributing factor was the crosswind weather condition.
Jul 28, 2000 TILLAMOOK, OR N7485C Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control.
Jun 25, 2000 MARANA, AZ N185DE Incident substantial the pilot's excessive use of wheel brakes during the landing roll resulting in the airplane's nosing over.
Jun 12, 2000 NEW ORLEANS, LA N61441 Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop.
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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