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
Feb 22, 2020	Hawley, MN	N550FK	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper landing flare and touchdown, which resulted in a bounced landing and loss of directional control and the airplane's subsequent im… The pilot's improper landing flare and touchdown, which resulted in a bounced landing and loss of directional control and the airplane's subsequent impact with a snowbank and ground loop during an attempted go-around.
Sep 03, 2019	San Carlos, CA	N34GE	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop.
Jul 17, 2019	Talkeetna, AK	N121EE	Incident	substantial	A fracture of the right outboard landing gear bracket for undetermined reasons.
Jul 02, 2019	Stanley, ID	N612TW	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and his overapplication of brakes during an aborted takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion … The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and his overapplication of brakes during an aborted takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent nose-over.
Jun 07, 2019	Ashland, ME	N484RF	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with a tree.
May 12, 2019	Northway, AK	N2429E	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop and subsequent nose-over.
May 04, 2019	Kalispell, MT	N185FT	Incident	substantial	The loss of directional control during landing for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.
May 04, 2019	VALPARAISO, IN	N7711L	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper throttle application and subsequent failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll in gusting left crosswind con… The pilot's improper throttle application and subsequent failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll in gusting left crosswind conditions, which resulted in a ground loop.
Mar 23, 2019	Lafayette, LA	N2744Q	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Dec 23, 2018	Big Lake, AK	N93018	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper decision to land on a roadway during dark night conditions with inoperable landing and taxi lights, which resulted in an impact w… The pilot's improper decision to land on a roadway during dark night conditions with inoperable landing and taxi lights, which resulted in an impact with a snow berm.
Dec 14, 2018	Tacoma, WA	N19EC	Incident	substantial	The pilot's loss of directional control during the landing roll and his subsequent overapplication of left rudder, which resulted in the right wing im… The pilot's loss of directional control during the landing roll and his subsequent overapplication of left rudder, which resulted in the right wing impacting the runway.
Nov 09, 2018	Reardan, WA	N185PR	Incident	substantial	The pilot receiving instruction's improper approach and landing flare in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a bounced landing and subsequent loss… The pilot receiving instruction's improper approach and landing flare in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a bounced landing and subsequent loss of directional control. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.
Sep 27, 2018	Fairbanks, AK	N70391	Incident	substantial	The total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Aug 22, 2018	Kaktovik, AK	N8041R	Incident	substantial	A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation during a steep turn with a low fuel state.
Aug 20, 2018	McCall, ID	N93039	Incident	substantial	The disconnection of the brake cylinder actuator rod, which resulted in the pilot’s inability to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Aug 18, 2018	Big Lake, AK	N185MC	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from tree foliage on the left side of the runway during takeoff due to his focus on the right side of the ru… The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from tree foliage on the left side of the runway during takeoff due to his focus on the right side of the runway.
Aug 01, 2018	White Mountain, AK	N185KB	Incident	substantial	A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine revealed no mechanical malfunct… A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
May 05, 2018	Chandler, AZ	N76SC	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusting tailwind conditions.
Apr 12, 2018	Sterling, AK	N8702Z	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during the approach to land due to the sun glare.
Jan 12, 2018	Lowman, ID	N2W	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, which resulted in a loss of directional control.
Oct 24, 2017	Tacoma, WA	N19EC	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s loss of directional control during the landing roll.
Sep 17, 2017	Talkeetna, AK	N123LR	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusting wind conditions.
Aug 18, 2017	Aniak, AK	N92DC	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which failed to detect a crack in the propeller blade, which led to the separation of a section of a prop… The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which failed to detect a crack in the propeller blade, which led to the separation of a section of a propeller blade due to fatigue.
Jul 26, 2017	Nampa, ID	N208SS	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Jul 22, 2017	Arctic Village, AK	N5227R	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control after an aborted takeoff.

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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