Cessna A185 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 452 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 29, 2004 | Tucson, AZ | N338H | Incident | substantial | the pilot's inadequate compensation for the quartering tailwind and failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout. |
| Feb 07, 2004 | FOWLER, CA | N8702Z | Incident | substantial |
the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power due to an inadequate fuel supply. A fa…the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power due to an inadequate fuel supply. A factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of familiarity with the airplane. |
| Oct 14, 2003 | Cedarville, MI | N3399L | Incident | substantial | A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor associated with the accident was the rough terrain on which the airplane was landed. |
| Aug 23, 2003 | Marion, OH | N44222 | Incident | substantial | Fatigue and corrosion of the right main landing gear attachment, which resulted in a gear collapse while landing. |
| Jul 22, 2003 | Angel Fire, NM | N60VA | Incident | substantial |
the instructor's inadequate supervision which resulted in the pilot's loss of directional control and the subsequent impact with the ditch. Contributi…the instructor's inadequate supervision which resulted in the pilot's loss of directional control and the subsequent impact with the ditch. Contributing factors include the instructor's inadequate remedial action and the inadvertent ground loop/swerve. |
| Jul 01, 2003 | Eveleth, MN | N30CM | Incident | substantial | The pilot's misjudgment of speed and distance resulting in an overrun. Factors were the ditch embankment, and the tailwind component. |
| Jun 07, 2002 | ANGWIN, CA | N714WH | Incident | substantial | The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions resulted in a loss of directional control and a ground loop/swerve. |
| Jun 01, 2002 | Necedah, WI | N185NR | Incident | substantial | Directional control of the airplane not maintained by the pilot. The gusting winds was a contributing factor. |
| May 23, 2002 | Grand Marais, MN | N4747Q | Incident | substantial |
The pilot displayed inadequate compensation for the wind conditions that existed at the time of the accident and directional control was not maintaine…The pilot displayed inadequate compensation for the wind conditions that existed at the time of the accident and directional control was not maintained. A factor associated with the accident was the crosswind weather condition. |
| Apr 28, 2002 | Greeley, CO | N4730Q | Incident | substantial | the inadvertent ground loop during landing roll. A contributing factor was the partial brake system failure. |
| Oct 21, 2001 | Winnemucca, NV | N7711L | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, failure to maintain directional control and use of excessive braking, which resulted in t…The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, failure to maintain directional control and use of excessive braking, which resulted in the airplane nosing over. |
| Oct 03, 2001 | Houma, LA | N727 | Incident | substantial | the pilot's high flare, which resulted in a hard landing. |
| Jun 16, 2001 | Ash Fork, AZ | N4805 | Incident | substantial | The pilot's misjudged touchdown location on a short runway. Contributing factors were the presence of a tailwind and the proximity of trees. |
| Apr 16, 2001 | Fayetteville, NC | N252W | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane after encounter wind gusts during landing roll resulting in the airplane ground lo…The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane after encounter wind gusts during landing roll resulting in the airplane ground looping to the left and the right wing, right horizontal stabilizer, and right elevator contacting the runway and receiving substantial damage. |
| Dec 03, 2000 | LYNWOOD, WA | N7609Q | Incident | substantial | Fuel exhaustion due to refueling was not performed by the pilot-in-command. Trees and a fence were factors. |
| Sep 08, 2000 | RUIDOSO, NM | N269DP | Incident | substantial | the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing roll. A contributing factor was the crosswind weather condition. |
| Jul 28, 2000 | TILLAMOOK, OR | N7485C | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. |
| Jun 25, 2000 | MARANA, AZ | N185DE | Incident | substantial | the pilot's excessive use of wheel brakes during the landing roll resulting in the airplane's nosing over. |
| Jun 12, 2000 | NEW ORLEANS, LA | N61441 | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop. |
| Apr 04, 2000 | WALLOWA, OR | N78DE | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain proper runway alignment upon encountering a wind gust, and his subsequent failure or inability to maintain clearance w…The pilot's failure to maintain proper runway alignment upon encountering a wind gust, and his subsequent failure or inability to maintain clearance with a tree during a go-around attempt. Factors included a short and narrow airstrip, gusty wind conditions, and a tree in the vicinity of the airstrip. |
| Mar 16, 2000 | BEND, OR | N1357M | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for wind conditions. |
| Jan 03, 2000 | HOUSTON, TX | N999SW | Incident | substantial | the loss of engine power during climb as a result of fatigue cracking of the #4 cylinder head and its subsequent separation from its barrel. |
| Dec 02, 1999 | RAYMOND, NE | N1756R | Incident | substantial |
the pilot's lack of recent experience in the type of aircraft and type of operation, and the pilot not maintaining directional control. A finding was…the pilot's lack of recent experience in the type of aircraft and type of operation, and the pilot not maintaining directional control. A finding was the glassy condition of the water. |
| Oct 07, 1999 | YAKUTAT, AK | N85CG | Incident | substantial | The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area. A factor associated with the accident was soft terrain. |
| Sep 15, 1999 | DAGGETT, CA | N9497N | Incident | substantial | the pilot's failure to recognize an excessive rate of descent and his subsequent delayed flare, which resulted in a hard landing. |