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 12, 2020 | Eagle River, AK | N185RN | Serious (2) | substantial |
The pilot’s failure to ensure adequate fuel onboard prior to the planned flight, resulting in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and …The pilot’s failure to ensure adequate fuel onboard prior to the planned flight, resulting in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and an aerodynamic stall during the subsequent emergency landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s reliance on an improperly programmed fuel totalizer. |
| Apr 15, 2019 | Nome, AK | N5163E | Serious (1) | substantial |
The pilot's decision to continue a visual flight rules flight into an area of mountainous terrain and instrument meteorological conditions, which resu…The pilot's decision to continue a visual flight rules flight into an area of mountainous terrain and instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of instrument proficiency. |
| Sep 15, 2018 | Bullhead City, AZ | N573BV | Serious (1) | substantial | The pilot’s diverted attention during takeoff initial climb, which resulted in a collision with rising terrain. |
| May 30, 2007 | Shearer, ID | N104DE | Serious (1) | substantial | A fracture and separation of the left main landing gear strut during the landing roll due to fatigue. |
| May 08, 2004 | Englewood, CO | N185K | Serious (1) | substantial |
the pilot's inadequate preflight planning which failed to verify an adequate fuel supply and his inadequate in-flight planning/decision which resulte…the pilot's inadequate preflight planning which failed to verify an adequate fuel supply and his inadequate in-flight planning/decision which resulted in fuel exhaustion. The inadequate indication of his fuel quantity system is a contributing factor. |
| Aug 05, 2001 | Crane Lake, MN | N2904Q | Serious (1) | substantial | The inadvertant control interference by the passenger's knee leading to the pilot's directional control of the floatplane not being possible. |
| Oct 24, 1996 | GIDDINGS, TX | N185XX | Serious (1) | substantial |
The loss of engine power as result of an oil leak due to a pinched 'O' ring in the oil filter. Factors were the improper installation of the oil filte…The loss of engine power as result of an oil leak due to a pinched 'O' ring in the oil filter. Factors were the improper installation of the oil filter, and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. |
| Aug 19, 1996 | MIDLAND, TX | N61609 | Serious (1) | substantial |
failure of the pilot to obtain or maintain adequate airspeed, by allowing the airplane to enter an excessive nose high attitude and an excessive rate …failure of the pilot to obtain or maintain adequate airspeed, by allowing the airplane to enter an excessive nose high attitude and an excessive rate of climb after takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent collision with the terrain. A factor relating to the accident was: the pilot's inadequate preflight by failing to ensure proper elevator trim for takeoff. |
| Jul 21, 1993 | DENALI NAT'L PK, AK | N124KT | Serious (4) | destroyed |
FUEL EXAUSTION DUE TO THE THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO REFUEL. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE: PRESSURE BY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL AND LACK OF SUITABL…FUEL EXAUSTION DUE TO THE THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO REFUEL. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE: PRESSURE BY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL AND LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN DURING THE FORCED LANDING. |
| Sep 23, 1991 | KOLIGANEK, AK | N21753 | Serious (1) | substantial | THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS. |
| Jul 09, 1991 | NORTON, WV | N185JV | Serious (1) | substantial | THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE INFLIGHT DECISION WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION AND THE LOST OF ENGINE POWER. |
| Sep 20, 1989 | NENANA RIVER, AK | N79SC | Serious (1) | substantial | IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITION. |
| Aug 25, 1989 | DEER ISLE, ME | N4840C | Serious (1) | destroyed | THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT IN DETERMINING THE ADEQUACY OF THE TAKEOFF ENVIRONMENT UNDER THE EXISTING ADVERSE WIND CONDITIONS. |
| Aug 14, 1989 | MYRTLE GROVE, FL | N95KW | Serious (3) | destroyed | THE PILOT IN COMMAND INADVERTENTLY STALLED THE AIRCRAFT DURING A BALKED LANDING. |
| Mar 16, 1986 | ANCHORAGE, AK | N70010 | Serious (1) | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Jul 12, 1984 | KETCHIKAN, AK | N61509 | Serious (1) | destroyed | Investigation pending |
| May 16, 1984 | GRAND JUNCTION, CO | N714PM | Serious (2) | destroyed | Investigation pending |
| Mar 02, 1984 | WAITSFIELD, VT | N4643C | Serious (1) | destroyed | Investigation pending |
| Jan 16, 1983 | LOREAUVILLE, LA | N1071F | Serious (1) | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Jan 05, 1982 | BETHEL, AK | N3343S | Serious (2) | substantial | Investigation pending |