How many accidents has the Cessna A185 had?

The NTSB has recorded 452 events involving the Cessna A185: 58 fatal, 20 serious, 48 minor injuries, and 325 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Cessna A185 a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Cessna A185 has 452 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Cessna A185 Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 452 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.

452

All Events

325

Incidents

Minor

Serious

Fatal (100 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
Dec 23, 1994	ERIE, CO	N8389Q	Minor	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED RESULTING IN THE INADVERTENT STALL.
May 13, 1994	HEMPSTEAD, NY	N30NC	Minor	substantial	THE INADVERTENT COLLISION WITH A HIDDEN OBSTRUCTION AFTER SWERVING TO AVOID BIRDS DURING A WATER TAKEOFF.
Jun 06, 1993	ANCHORAGE, AK	N70020	Minor	substantial	THE PILOT IN COMMAND EXCEEDING THE MAXIMUM AUTHORIZED GROSS TAKEOFF WEIGHT OF THE AIRPLANE AND HIS FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS. A F… THE PILOT IN COMMAND EXCEEDING THE MAXIMUM AUTHORIZED GROSS TAKEOFF WEIGHT OF THE AIRPLANE AND HIS FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE GUSTY WIND CONDITION.
Jun 25, 1992	RONAN, MT	N4690C	Minor	substantial	THE PILOT'S OPERATION WITH KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN EQUIPMENT AND ERRATIC OPERATION OF THE FUEL CONTROL SYSTEM. A FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS… THE PILOT'S OPERATION WITH KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN EQUIPMENT AND ERRATIC OPERATION OF THE FUEL CONTROL SYSTEM. A FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: SOFT TERRAIN.
Jul 21, 1991	VERNON, OH	N185GS	Minor	destroyed	THE PILOT ROTATED THE AIRPLANE PREMATURELY AND CONTINUED THE CLIMB AT A DECK ANGLE THAT EVENTUALLY RESULTED IN A STALL. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDEN… THE PILOT ROTATED THE AIRPLANE PREMATURELY AND CONTINUED THE CLIMB AT A DECK ANGLE THAT EVENTUALLY RESULTED IN A STALL. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S COMPLACENCY, FAILURE TO DETERMINE THE AIRPLANE'S PERFORMANCE CAPABILITIES PRIOR TO TAKE OFF AND HE TOOK OFF UP HILL WITH A QUARTERING TAIL WIND.
Mar 21, 1991	GALENA, AK	N735HB	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Feb 11, 1990	SUN RIVER, OR	N6045N	Minor	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY COMPENSATE FOR STRONG CROSSWINDS DURING TAKEOFF GROUND ROLL.
May 04, 1989	CHARLOTTE, NC	CGCMT	Minor	destroyed	COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE FUEL EXHAUSTION WAS DUE TO THE PILOT NOT ASSURING AN ADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY FOR THE FLIGHT BY … COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE FUEL EXHAUSTION WAS DUE TO THE PILOT NOT ASSURING AN ADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY FOR THE FLIGHT BY VISUAL INSPECTION DURING HIS PREFLIGHT INSPECTION. CONTRIBUTING WAS THE PILOT'S DECISION TO CONTINUE FLIGHT WITH A KNOWN INACCURACY IN THE FUEL QUANTITY INDICATING SYSTEM.
Oct 23, 1988	TRUMBAUERSVILLE, PA	N185SH	Minor	substantial	AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING IN WHICH THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK TREES AND A SWING SET, FOLLOWING A POWER LOSS CAUSED BY THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO DETERMINE THAT… AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING IN WHICH THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK TREES AND A SWING SET, FOLLOWING A POWER LOSS CAUSED BY THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO DETERMINE THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS IN THE OFF POSITION AND TO TURN IT ON PRIOR TO THE POWER LOSS.
Mar 03, 1988	MCGRATH, AK	N1954U	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Apr 10, 1987	GILLETTE, WY	N6670N	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Aug 08, 1986	SLIDELL, LA	N92BT	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Jul 16, 1986	KETCHIKAN, AK	N6336E	Minor	destroyed	Investigation pending
Jun 19, 1986	NEW ORLEANS, LA	N9937N	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
May 31, 1986	ORANGE GROVE, LA	N96158	Minor	destroyed	Investigation pending
Sep 05, 1985	PORT SULPHUR, LA	N5513E	Minor	destroyed	Investigation pending
Jul 12, 1985	PATTERSON, LA	N9905N	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Mar 03, 1984	BRAITHWAITE, LA	N7368H	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Jul 25, 1983	TYONEK, AK	N4535F	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Jul 22, 1983	HOUMA, LA	N4959Q	Minor	destroyed	Investigation pending
May 05, 1983	LOGANSPORT, IN	N533H	Minor	destroyed	Investigation pending
Jun 17, 1982	AMARILLO, TX	N2270T	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Apr 06, 1982	JUNEAU, AK	N4745Q	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending

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 A185 Safety Record

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