Cessna A185 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 452 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 19, 2014 | Somerville, NJ | N2219T | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in a gusty crosswind. |
| Feb 28, 2014 | Fredericksburg, TX | N30AW | Incident | substantial | The pilot did not maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff with a gusting crosswind. |
| Dec 22, 2013 | Carson City, NV | N185CY | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing which resulted in the airplane veering off the runway and nosing over. |
| Nov 23, 2013 | Nenana, AK | N8310Q | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, which resulted in a collision with terrain. |
| Oct 19, 2013 | Northeast Carry, ME | N93037 | Minor | substantial |
The pilot's improper decision to take off for an intended night water landing, and his subsequent loss of depth perception during that landing attempt…The pilot's improper decision to take off for an intended night water landing, and his subsequent loss of depth perception during that landing attempt. |
| Jul 29, 2013 | Kotzebue, AK | N4557F | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's lack of situational awareness and failure to maintain adequate clearance from terrain during takeoff. Factors contributing to the accident…The pilot's lack of situational awareness and failure to maintain adequate clearance from terrain during takeoff. Factors contributing to the accident was the check airmen’s inadequate supervision. |
| Jul 25, 2013 | Pocatello, ID | N31YH | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing with gusting wind and a quartering tailwind. |
| Jul 14, 2013 | Cascade, ID | N185BW | Incident | substantial | The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during final approach due to the sun glare that obscured the pilot's vision. |
| Jul 13, 2013 | Kenai, AK | N93957 | Incident | substantial | The pilot's loss of control of the airplane while landing in variable wind conditions. |
| Apr 16, 2013 | Palatka, FL | N812F | Incident | substantial | The pilot’s failure to retract the landing gear after takeoff from a runway, and his subsequent water landing with the wheels extended. |
| Apr 07, 2013 | Cottonwood, ID | N2303Y | Incident | substantial | The pilot’s failure to see and avoid an object on the grass airstrip during the takeoff. |
| Mar 08, 2013 | Talkeetna, AK | N185FK | Incident | substantial |
The overstress fracture and failure of the right wheel/ski arm while taxiing in snow and water-overflow terrain conditions, which resulted in a noseov…The overstress fracture and failure of the right wheel/ski arm while taxiing in snow and water-overflow terrain conditions, which resulted in a noseover. |
| Jan 05, 2013 | Skwentna, AK | N4538F | Incident | substantial | The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a main landing gear collapse. |
| Oct 22, 2012 | Talkeetna, AK | N1694M | Incident | substantial | The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a ground loop. |
| Sep 15, 2012 | Andrews, OR | N1164Q | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a crosswind landing. |
| Sep 13, 2012 | Denali Park, AK | N4786Q | Incident | substantial |
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from an electric transmission line during the approach to land because he was distracted by the airplane’s b…The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from an electric transmission line during the approach to land because he was distracted by the airplane’s broken and deflected landing ski. Contributing to the accident was the in-flight failure of the right ski connecting bolt and the subsequent ski deflection. |
| Sep 09, 2012 | Cambria, CA | N80SS | Incident | substantial |
A partial loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane sank in the ocean and was not recove…A partial loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane sank in the ocean and was not recovered. |
| Aug 31, 2012 | Gerlach, NV | N3946Q | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. |
| Jul 22, 2012 | Mapleton, ME | N5168E | Incident | substantial |
The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power, and his use of an improper engine restart pr…The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power, and his use of an improper engine restart procedure. |
| Jun 13, 2012 | Winnett, MT | CG-ZVF | Incident | substantial |
A momentary loss of engine power, which led to an emergency descent at night during which the airplane collided with a wire. The reason for the loss o…A momentary loss of engine power, which led to an emergency descent at night during which the airplane collided with a wire. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined because postaccident examination and operation did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. |
| Jun 02, 2012 | Skwentna, AK | N1795R | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power in cruise flight. Contributing to the acciden…The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power in cruise flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to follow the checklist after the loss of engine power. |
| May 16, 2012 | Crystal Falls, MI | N4742E | Incident | substantial | The pilot's abrupt maneuver to avoid deer that unexpectedly ran into the airplane's path during the landing roll. |
| Apr 25, 2012 | Blanding, UT | N243W | Fatal (3) | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during low-level maneuvering flight. Contributing to the pilot’s death was the lack of a timely emerg…The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during low-level maneuvering flight. Contributing to the pilot’s death was the lack of a timely emergency rescue response due to the lack of effective emergency signal transmissions from both the airplane’s emergency locator transmitter and the personal locator device, which were both ejected from the wreckage. |
| Mar 17, 2012 | Fort Worth, TX | N185GS | Incident | substantial | The pilot did not maintain directional control of the airplane while landing in gusty wind conditions. |
| Nov 23, 2011 | Talkeetna, AK | N121EE | Incident | substantial | A broken wheel/ski clevis pin, which allowed the ski to pivot upward and strike the right wing lift strut. |