Cessna A185 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 452 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| 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.. |
| Apr 16, 1997 | BILLINGS, MT | N70194 | Incident | substantial | The flight instructor's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions. The crosswind conditions were a factor. |
| Nov 03, 1996 | PRICE, UT | N19EC | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. |
| Oct 24, 1996 | GIDDINGS, TX | N185XX | Serious (1) | substantial |
The loss of engine power as result of an oil leak due to a pinched 'O' ring in the oil filter. Factors were the improper installation of the oil filte…The loss of engine power as result of an oil leak due to a pinched 'O' ring in the oil filter. Factors were the improper installation of the oil filter, and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. |
| 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 15, 1996 | CODY, WY | N185K | Incident | substantial |
failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane and runway alignment during the takeoff roll. Factors relating to the accident we…failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane and runway alignment during the takeoff roll. Factors relating to the accident were: the crosswind, and possible dragging of the right brake. |
| 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). |
| May 05, 1996 | CASCADE, ID | N185MP | Incident | substantial |
the pilot's improper planning/decision, his failure to ensure that the airplane would maintain proper clearance from obstructions (trees), and his del…the pilot's improper planning/decision, his failure to ensure that the airplane would maintain proper clearance from obstructions (trees), and his delay in aborting the takeoff. The soft/wet runway and tailwind were related factors. |
| Mar 11, 1996 | SHIRLEY, ME | N712MY | Minor | substantial | the pilot's fuel mismanagement and improper use of the fuel selector valve which resulted in fuel starvation. |
| 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. |
| Oct 24, 1995 | LIBERAL, KS | N1613M | Minor | substantial | the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of directional control and an inadvertent ground swerve. |
| Oct 04, 1995 | OLA, ID | N70221 | Incident | substantial | The pilot's inadequate preflight preparation by failing to determine that the takeoff area was clear of obstructions. The rock was a 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. |
| Aug 14, 1995 | DICKINSON, ND | N47428 | Incident | substantial | the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, and his improper recovery from the bounced landing. The high wind was a 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. |
| Jan 21, 1995 | HILLSBORO, OR | N748 | Incident | substantial | A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. |
| 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 22, 1994 | JUNEAU, AK | CFVZP | Fatal (2) | substantial | ATTEMPTED VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: CLOUDS AND MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. |