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
Jul 18, 1998	MONETA, VA	N1481F	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in a stall and subsequent collision with water.
Jun 16, 1998	TALKEETNA, AK	N185DG	Incident	substantial	The failure of the right main landing gear leg due to fatigue cracking. A factor associated with this accident is the inadequate inspection procedure… The failure of the right main landing gear leg due to fatigue cracking. A factor associated with this accident is the inadequate inspection procedure specified by the manufacturer.
May 13, 1998	ISANTI, MN	N7140H	Incident	substantial	the soft terrain condition. A factor was the failure of the crankshaft.
Mar 21, 1998	HOMER, AK	N9620Q	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Factors in the accident are the sheared valve stem/deflation of the tire, and subsequent fractur… The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Factors in the accident are the sheared valve stem/deflation of the tire, and subsequent fracturing of the associated wheel.
Oct 02, 1997	ROSEAU, MN	N105NR	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. A factor was the crosswind.
Aug 04, 1996	CASA GRANDE, AZ	N2431Y	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, which resulted in an inadvertent ground loop. Factors relating to the ac… the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, which resulted in an inadvertent ground loop. Factors relating to the accident were: the student pilot's inadequate training and lack of certification (endorsement).
Jan 22, 1996	BELLE CHASE, LA	N6034N	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of directional control and subsequent encounter with a ditch. T… The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of directional control and subsequent encounter with a ditch. The crosswind was a related factor.
May 09, 1995	OROVILLE, WA	N1684R	Incident	substantial	WATER CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL, AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT OF THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE FLIGHT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DETERIORAT… WATER CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL, AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT OF THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE FLIGHT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DETERIORATED SEAL(S) ON THE FUEL TANK CAP(S), NON-COMPLIANCE WITH AN AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE TO PREVENT WATER LEAKING THROUGH THE CAPS, AND THE PROXIMITY OF TREES IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.
Oct 23, 1994	N NEW PORTLAND, ME	N9667Q	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to verify the landing gear was in the proper position for landing.
Oct 15, 1994	KOTZEBUE, AK	N20752	Incident	substantial	A FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE DISTANCE FROM THE TERRAIN (SNOW BANK). FLAT LIGHTING AND LOW CONTRAST CONDITIONS WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCI… A FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE DISTANCE FROM THE TERRAIN (SNOW BANK). FLAT LIGHTING AND LOW CONTRAST CONDITIONS WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.
Sep 07, 1994	CONRAD, MT	N5387H	Incident	substantial	THE CFI'S FAILURE TO ASSURE AN ADEQUATE INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT, INCLUDING THE PROPER ENGAGEMENT AND FUNCTION OF THE RUDDER PEDALS, PRIOR TO THE FL… THE CFI'S FAILURE TO ASSURE AN ADEQUATE INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT, INCLUDING THE PROPER ENGAGEMENT AND FUNCTION OF THE RUDDER PEDALS, PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT.
Jul 24, 1994	ANCHORAGE, AK	N1758R	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE LANDING FLARE. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE GLASSY WATER.
May 25, 1994	CHAPEL HILL, NC	N8527Q	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL. FACTORS WERE THE CRO… THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL. FACTORS WERE THE CROSSWINDS AND GUSTS PREVAILING AT THE AIRPORT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.
Apr 08, 1994	PAXSON, AK	N8191Q	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND DID NOT MAINTAIN PROPER CLEARANCE FROM THE SNOW BERM. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SNOW BERM.
Feb 10, 1994	VALLEY SPRINGS, CA	N4833C	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to ensure that the landing gear was in the correct configuration for a water landing.
Nov 30, 1993	MAYBELL, CO	N6613N	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ASCERTAIN THE CONDITION OF THE LANDING AREA. THE SNOW COVERED CONDITION OF THE RUNWAY WAS A FACTOR.
Nov 08, 1993	CHEFORNAK, AK	N185FK	Incident	substantial	THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR THE GUSTY CROSS WIND CONDITION. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE WIND GUST.
Sep 02, 1993	PILOTTOWN, LA	N6279E	Incident	—	THE PILOT IN COMMAND BECOMING PHYSICALLY INCAPACITATED (HEART ATTACK).
May 31, 1993	KAHILTNA GLACIE, AK	N333DG	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND NOT MAINTAINING DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. A FACTOR IS THE ROUGH CONDITION OF THE GLACIER AIRSTRIP.
May 27, 1993	BELLEVUE, WA	N2215T	Incident	substantial	FAILURE OF THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR SHOCK STRUT.
May 22, 1993	TIMBALIER ISLE, LA	N3588	Incident	substantial	PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION IN THE SELECTION OF HIS TAKEOFF ROUTE. A FACTOR WAS THE SAND BAR
Apr 23, 1993	GOOSE BAY, AK	N5077G	Incident	substantial	THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT'S DELAY OF REMEDIAL ACTION DURING THE SIMULATED FORCED LANDING. FACTORS WERE THE DUAL STUDENT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER D… THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT'S DELAY OF REMEDIAL ACTION DURING THE SIMULATED FORCED LANDING. FACTORS WERE THE DUAL STUDENT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER DESCENT RATE, AND HIS FAILURE TO ATTAIN PROPER ALIGNMENT WITH THE RUNWAY PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN.
Feb 23, 1993	FAIRBANKS, AK	N37BC	Incident	substantial	THE FUEL SYSTEM SELECTOR VALVE BEING PLACED IN THE OFF POSITION DUE TO THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE FUEL SELECTOR PLACARD BY AN UNQUALIFIED PERSON… THE FUEL SYSTEM SELECTOR VALVE BEING PLACED IN THE OFF POSITION DUE TO THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE FUEL SELECTOR PLACARD BY AN UNQUALIFIED PERSON. THE SNOW COVERED FORCED LANDING AREA WAS A FACTOR.
Jan 30, 1993	INGLEWOOD, WA	N5391R	Incident	substantial	FUEL EXHAUSTION, THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT, AND HIS FAILURE TO FLARE ON LANDING. A FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS FOG.
Aug 26, 1992	ST. CLOUD, MN	N185RF	Incident	substantial	FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO ABORT TAKEOFF BEFORE OVERRUNNING THE LAKE EDGE.

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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