Cessna A185F Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 308 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 28, 1997 | CHARLTON, MA | N39CC | Minor | substantial | The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.. |
| Aug 19, 1996 | MIDLAND, TX | N61609 | Serious (1) | substantial |
failure of the pilot to obtain or maintain adequate airspeed, by allowing the airplane to enter an excessive nose high attitude and an excessive rate …failure of the pilot to obtain or maintain adequate airspeed, by allowing the airplane to enter an excessive nose high attitude and an excessive rate of climb after takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent collision with the terrain. A factor relating to the accident was: the pilot's inadequate preflight by failing to ensure proper elevator trim for takeoff. |
| 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. |
| Aug 26, 1995 | BLOCK ISLAND, RI | N4944E | Fatal (4) | destroyed |
the pilot's failure to touch down a sufficient distance from shore, and his delay in aborting the landing. In addition, the pilot exceeded the airplan…the pilot's failure to touch down a sufficient distance from shore, and his delay in aborting the landing. In addition, the pilot exceeded the airplane's weight and balance limits which reduced the airplane's performance. |
| 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. |
| Jan 03, 1995 | TEHACHAPI, CA | N94296 | Fatal (1) | destroyed |
THE NONINSTRUMENT-RATED PILOT'S CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED WHILE MANEUVERING TO REVERS…THE NONINSTRUMENT-RATED PILOT'S CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED WHILE MANEUVERING TO REVERSE DIRECTION. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, AND ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. |
| Dec 23, 1994 | ERIE, CO | N8389Q | Minor | substantial | THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED RESULTING IN THE INADVERTENT STALL. |
| 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. |
| May 13, 1994 | HEMPSTEAD, NY | N30NC | Minor | substantial | THE INADVERTENT COLLISION WITH A HIDDEN OBSTRUCTION AFTER SWERVING TO AVOID BIRDS DURING A WATER TAKEOFF. |
| 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 11, 1994 | STERLING HGTS, MI | N53064 | Fatal (2) | destroyed |
THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT OF JUDGMENT AND PERFORMANCE DUE TO ALCOHOL, WHICH LED TO HIS INTENTIONAL BUZZING, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITU…THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT OF JUDGMENT AND PERFORMANCE DUE TO ALCOHOL, WHICH LED TO HIS INTENTIONAL BUZZING, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE (OR CLEARANCE) FROM OBSTACLES. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARKNESS AND THE UNLIGHTED TOWER. |
| 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). |
| Jul 21, 1993 | DENALI NAT'L PK, AK | N124KT | Serious (4) | destroyed |
FUEL EXAUSTION DUE TO THE THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO REFUEL. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE: PRESSURE BY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL AND LACK OF SUITABL…FUEL EXAUSTION DUE TO THE THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO REFUEL. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE: PRESSURE BY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL AND LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN DURING THE FORCED LANDING. |
| Jun 05, 1993 | GULKANA, AK | N2171F | Incident | substantial | Investigation pending |
| 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 |