Cessna A185 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 452 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 09, 2023 | La Mesa, CA | N1839R | Minor | substantial | A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. |
| Jul 05, 2022 | Plymouth, CT | N2423A | Minor | substantial | The pilot’s encounter with known and forecast adverse weather which resulted in a collision with trees during the initial climb. |
| Mar 20, 2021 | Fairbanks, AK | N58316 | Minor | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop. |
| Aug 15, 2020 | Sugar Land, TX | N5418E | Minor | substantial |
A total loss of engine power after takeoff for undetermined reasons, and the pilot’s subsequent exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack …A total loss of engine power after takeoff for undetermined reasons, and the pilot’s subsequent exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. |
| Apr 30, 2020 | ANOKA, MN | N1669M | Minor | substantial | The pilot's inadvertent extension of the landing gear and his subsequent water landing with the wheels extended. |
| Aug 22, 2019 | Rangeley Lake, ME | N1920Q | Minor | substantial |
The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the floats, which led to his subsequent attempt to depart from a lake with damaged floats and led to a …The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the floats, which led to his subsequent attempt to depart from a lake with damaged floats and led to a loss of roll control and the right wing impacting the water. |
| Aug 03, 2019 | Saginaw, MI | N5806J | Minor | substantial |
Maintenance personnel’s failure to properly align the crankshaft during an engine reassembly which led to a fatigue failure of the crankshaft and the …Maintenance personnel’s failure to properly align the crankshaft during an engine reassembly which led to a fatigue failure of the crankshaft and the loss of all engine power. |
| Jul 01, 2018 | Miami, FL | N14ED | Minor | substantial |
The pilot’s failure to retract the wheels of the amphibious airplane on takeoff, which resulted in a nose-over when the airplane landed on water with …The pilot’s failure to retract the wheels of the amphibious airplane on takeoff, which resulted in a nose-over when the airplane landed on water with the wheels extended. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to use appropriate checklists. |
| 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. |
| Apr 29, 2009 | Patterson, LA | N4603E | Minor | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed in a turn while attempting to return to land, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing …The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed in a turn while attempting to return to land, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the reported loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. |
| Jun 28, 2008 | Rainier, OR | N5403E | Minor | substantial | The inadvertent extension of the left float's landing gear to near the down position due to a failure of the gear's rear hydraulic seal. |
| Nov 19, 2005 | Show Low, AZ | N4562F | Minor | substantial | the pilot's inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions and failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a ground loop. |
| Oct 17, 2004 | White Bird, ID | N101AM | Minor | substantial |
The pilot's failure to attain the proper airspeed for takeoff and his improper soft-field takeoff procedure. Factors contributing to the accident inc…The pilot's failure to attain the proper airspeed for takeoff and his improper soft-field takeoff procedure. Factors contributing to the accident included the pilot's improper preflight planning, the fence, and the closed exhaust stack. |
| May 27, 2004 | Pontianak, ID | PK-YME | Minor | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Apr 16, 2004 | Hastings, MN | N185TY | Minor | substantial |
The pilot not verifying the fuel selector valve's position during the preflight leading to the fuel starvation and subsequent loss of engine power dur…The pilot not verifying the fuel selector valve's position during the preflight leading to the fuel starvation and subsequent loss of engine power during the flight's initial climb. |
| May 25, 2003 | Guymon, OK | N6578E | Minor | substantial | The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind, and his failure to maintain directional control. A factor was the crosswind. |
| May 26, 2000 | MIXCOLAJA, GT | N4871Q | Minor | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Feb 07, 2000 | LOVELAND, CO | N721 | Minor | substantial | Failure of the pilot in command to maintain directional control, resulting in an inadvertent ground loop. A factor was the crosswind. |
| Oct 17, 1999 | LAKE WALES, FL | N85PR | Minor | substantial |
The partial loss of engine power due to the inadequate annual inspection of the airplane by the mechanic with IA for his failure to assure that the mi…The partial loss of engine power due to the inadequate annual inspection of the airplane by the mechanic with IA for his failure to assure that the mixture control cable jam nut at the rod end was secured following the reported adjustment by the airplane owner who is not a certificated mechanic. This resulted in the separation of the mixture control cable and the uncommanded movement of the mixture control to the midrnage point between midrange and the idle cut-off position. |
| May 30, 1999 | CHAPIN, SC | N881FD | Minor | substantial | The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the collision with a utility wire. |
| May 16, 1998 | TALKEETNA, AK | N1473F | Minor | substantial | The pilot selected the wrong runway and intentionally ground looped to stop the airplane. Related factors were the tailwind and whiteout conditions. |
| Jul 02, 1997 | BAY ST. LOUIS, MS | N5054R | Minor | substantial |
The pilot's improper short field landing procedure and use of full flaps prior to being assured of reaching the proper touchdown point, resulting in a…The pilot's improper short field landing procedure and use of full flaps prior to being assured of reaching the proper touchdown point, resulting in an in-flight collision with an embankment, and subsequent nose over. Contributing to the accident was a total loss of engine power due to improper fuel management resulting in fuel exhaustion. |
| Jun 28, 1997 | CHARLTON, MA | N39CC | Minor | substantial | The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.. |
| Mar 11, 1996 | SHIRLEY, ME | N712MY | Minor | substantial | the pilot's fuel mismanagement and improper use of the fuel selector valve which resulted in fuel starvation. |
| Oct 24, 1995 | LIBERAL, KS | N1613M | Minor | substantial | the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of directional control and an inadvertent ground swerve. |