Cessna A185 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 452 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 06, 2011 | Hays, KS | N550DP | Incident | substantial | The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a loss of control. |
| Aug 21, 2011 | Polson, MT | N61609 | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. |
| Jul 18, 2011 | La Tuque, CA | C-FZNK | Fatal (1) | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Jul 01, 2011 | Yabucoa, PR | N8436Q | Fatal (5) | substantial |
The pilot's inadequate weather planning and improper decision to continue a visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, whic…The pilot's inadequate weather planning and improper decision to continue a visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an encounter with a thunderstorm and subsequent loss of control. |
| Jun 30, 2011 | Page, AZ | N80293 | Incident | substantial | The pilot's decision to take off with a gusty quartering tailwind. |
| Jun 18, 2011 | Trinca, NJ | N714TX | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain directional control, and the flight instructor's inadequate remedial action, which resulted in a ground-loop. |
| May 17, 2011 | Talkeetna, AK | N125KT | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. |
| May 03, 2011 | Ocean City, NJ | N6389E | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. |
| Apr 28, 2011 | Hot Springs, AR | N2530S | Incident | substantial | The pilot’s improper recovery from a bounced landing. |
| Mar 24, 2011 | Ashland, ME | N724MT | Fatal (1) | substantial | An inadvertent encounter with localized instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of control. |
| Mar 19, 2011 | Aniak, AK | N5182H | Incident | substantial | The inadvertent contact with a rut in the snow while taxiing, resulting in the collapse of the right main landing gear. |
| Mar 07, 2011 | Belle Chase, LA | N434JG | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to ensure that the landing gear was retracted for the water landing. |
| Sep 13, 2010 | Rushville, NE | N714AL | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the loss of visual reference due …The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the loss of visual reference due to the sun glare. |
| Sep 06, 2010 | Santa Ynez, CA | N4622C | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control, likely due to the inadvertent control interference by a passenger. A finding in the accident was …The pilot's failure to maintain directional control, likely due to the inadvertent control interference by a passenger. A finding in the accident was the pilot's improper pre flight briefing. |
| Aug 11, 2010 | Farmington, NM | N4492 | Incident | substantial |
Pre-existing damage of the through-bolt that attached the inboard end of the gear leg to the airframe hard-point, likely caused during maintenance on …Pre-existing damage of the through-bolt that attached the inboard end of the gear leg to the airframe hard-point, likely caused during maintenance on the gear. |
| Aug 01, 2010 | Newfane, NY | N4976E | Fatal (1) | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control due to his diverted attention, which resulted in a collision with trees during the initial climb afte…The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control due to his diverted attention, which resulted in a collision with trees during the initial climb after takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the passenger's attempt to secure the jump door after it opened during takeoff. |
| Aug 01, 2010 | Rockwood, ME | N369E | Fatal (1) | substantial | The pilot's failure to retract the landing gear prior to a water landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to medication. |
| Jul 18, 2010 | Coeur d'Alene, ID | N619VM | Incident | substantial | The pilot's inadequate compensation for a wind gust during the landing roll. |
| Jun 23, 2010 | Bryce Canyon, UT | N55TA | Incident | substantial | The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswinds during takeoff. |
| Mar 10, 2010 | Ophir, AK | N70039 | Incident | substantial | The total loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. |
| Oct 18, 2009 | Sand Coulee, MT | N1677R | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing with a crosswind. |
| Oct 14, 2009 | Healy, AK | N2764J | Fatal (1) | substantial |
The pilot's decision to maneuver at a low altitude over rising terrain in conditions conducive to turbulence/downdrafts, resulting in a loss of contro…The pilot's decision to maneuver at a low altitude over rising terrain in conditions conducive to turbulence/downdrafts, resulting in a loss of control and impact with terrain. |
| Jul 30, 2009 | River Falls, WI | N989DM | Incident | substantial |
The pilot not checking the security of the fuel caps prior to flight leading to fuel exhaustion and the subsequent non-mechanical loss of engine power…The pilot not checking the security of the fuel caps prior to flight leading to fuel exhaustion and the subsequent non-mechanical loss of engine power during descent. |
| Jul 06, 2009 | Skwentna, AK | N4448R | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's failure to recognize his proximity to the glassy water landing surface while flying in smoke haze, and his failure to maintain a proper de…The pilot's failure to recognize his proximity to the glassy water landing surface while flying in smoke haze, and his failure to maintain a proper descent rate during the landing approach. |
| Jun 02, 2009 | Wenatchee, WA | N1015F | Incident | substantial | The pilot's misjudged approach and failure to attain the proper touchdown point. |