Cessna A185 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 452 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 26, 2007 | Danube, NY | N1344Q | Incident | substantial | The pilot's mismanagement of the fuel supply. |
| Aug 19, 2007 | Lake City, CO | N185MR | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's improper preflight planning, his inability to attain short field takeoff performance, and his intentional maneuvering of the airplane into…The pilot's improper preflight planning, his inability to attain short field takeoff performance, and his intentional maneuvering of the airplane into bushes and a fence during the aborted takeoff. Factors contributing to the accident were the high density altitude and the tailwind. |
| Jul 20, 2007 | Englewood, CO | N78011 | Incident | substantial |
THIS CASE WAS REVISED 10/31/2007. Low compression in number 2 cylinder, which reduced the airplane's climb capability. Contributing factors in thi…THIS CASE WAS REVISED 10/31/2007. Low compression in number 2 cylinder, which reduced the airplane's climb capability. Contributing factors in this accident were the high density altitude conditions, and the tree. |
| May 18, 2007 | Renton, WA | N8045Q | Incident | substantial | The pilot's loss of aircraft control during a landing attempt, which resulted in an inadvertent ground loop. |
| May 02, 2007 | Haines, AK | N185M | Incident | substantial |
The main landing gear attachment bolts to the right ski sheared during the landing roll in deep snow, resulting in a nose down, and structural damage …The main landing gear attachment bolts to the right ski sheared during the landing roll in deep snow, resulting in a nose down, and structural damage to the right wing and aileron. |
| Apr 14, 2007 | Ashland, ME | N4756E | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while taxiing, which resulted in a nose over. A factor in this accident was the frozen, slush covere…The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while taxiing, which resulted in a nose over. A factor in this accident was the frozen, slush covered lake. |
| Aug 26, 2006 | Valentine, NE | N4730Q | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll, resulting in an inadvertent ground loop by the pilot. A …The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll, resulting in an inadvertent ground loop by the pilot. A factor contributing to the accident was the gusting crosswind condition. |
| Jun 06, 2006 | Turner, ME | N185RW | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point, resulting in a runway undershoot, and substantial damage to the airplane. |
| Jun 04, 2006 | Park Valley, UT | N185JF | Incident | substantial | Incapacitation of the pilot secondary to a myocardial infarction. A ditch was a contributing factor. |
| May 20, 2006 | Columbia, CA | N5468E | Incident | substantial | the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and his failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout. |
| Jan 30, 2006 | Lewiston, ID | N2303Y | Incident | substantial | The failure of the left main landing gear attaching bolt, which resulted in the left main gear collapsing during the landing roll. |
| Jan 29, 2006 | Pembroke, MA | N7574N | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a ground loop and subsequent impact with trees. A factor was the s…The pilot's failure to maintain control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a ground loop and subsequent impact with trees. A factor was the soft runway as reported by the pilot. |
| Oct 20, 2005 | Lake Powell, UT | N7377H | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain during an aborted water takeoff run which resulted in the airplane colliding with a canyon wall…The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain during an aborted water takeoff run which resulted in the airplane colliding with a canyon wall. A contributing factor was the submerged object that the airplane struck during the takeoff run. |
| Sep 26, 2005 | Tracy, CA | N8548Q | Incident | substantial | loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. |
| Sep 14, 2005 | Boulder, CO | N4807 | Incident | substantial |
the pilot's improper flare which resulted in a hard landing and his subsequent failure to recover from the bounced landing. Contributing factors were…the pilot's improper flare which resulted in a hard landing and his subsequent failure to recover from the bounced landing. Contributing factors were the pilot's improper in-flight decision to land in deteriorating weather conditions, turbulence associated with thunderstorms, tailwind, and the wet runway. |
| Sep 01, 2005 | San Andreas, CA | N1644M | Incident | substantial | the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane upon encountering a dust devil during the takeoff roll. |
| Aug 05, 2005 | Seattle, WA | N4867C | Incident | substantial | Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. |
| Jun 26, 2005 | Elk Lake, MI | N90MW | Incident | substantial | The gear retraction not performed by the pilot. |
| Apr 18, 2005 | Wasilla, AK | N4557F | Incident | substantial |
The flight instructor's failure to provide adequate supervision of the second pilot during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of control and a…The flight instructor's failure to provide adequate supervision of the second pilot during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of control and an intentional ground-loop by the instructor. A factor in the accident was the dual student's ( a certificated private pilot) loss of directional control during the landing roll. |
| Mar 09, 2005 | Tucson, AZ | N4530F | Incident | substantial |
a loss of directional control due to the failure of unknown maintenance personnel to install the tailwheel-locking collar, and the inadequate maintena…a loss of directional control due to the failure of unknown maintenance personnel to install the tailwheel-locking collar, and the inadequate maintenance inspection of the worn tailwheel steering arm. |
| Feb 03, 2005 | Minneapolis, MN | N1767R | Incident | substantial |
A failure of the tail wheel locking mechanism which resulted in the pilot's inability to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landi…A failure of the tail wheel locking mechanism which resulted in the pilot's inability to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. |
| Aug 12, 2004 | New Braunfels, TX | N1666R | Incident | substantial | The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind and his failure to maintain directional control. A contributing factor was the crosswind. |
| Jul 24, 2004 | Gridley, CA | N93DM | Incident | destroyed | The pilot's improper use of the rudder to correct for torque and P-factor effects and failure to maintain obstacle clearance. |
| Jul 16, 2004 | Cut Bank, MT | N185S | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. |
| Jul 16, 2004 | Boise, ID | N78RD | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll resulting in an inadvertent ground loop. |