# Accident 20260215002779A: Cessna A185F, Naples, FL, February 15, 2026

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 15, 2026, 11:16 local time
- Place: Naples, FL
- Damage: Minor damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 25.8496° N, 81.4731° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.8496&lon=-81.4731&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7574N, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7574N) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna A185F (registry code 2072821, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental IO-520-D (registry code 17236, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-d) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR IO-520-D
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, commercial pilot, private pilot, student
- Pilot flight hours: 36,000 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA26FA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26FA115) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260215002779A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON FEBRUARY 15, 2026, AT ABOUT 1116 HOURS, A 1981 CESSNA (FLOATS) A185F, ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ DEPARTED MARCO ISLAND EXECUTIVE AIRPORT TO THE SOUTH AND AT APPROXIMATELY 1154 (PER FLIGHTAWEAR) ATTEMPTED A WATER LANDING BUT CRASHING. CESSNA ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ WAS FOUND INVERTED WITH AIRCRAFT SUBMERGED UNDER WATER WITH PONTOON FLOATS ONLY PART OF AIRCRAFT VISIBLE. ONE PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER ON BOARD, PIC SURVIVED WITH MINOR INJURIES; PASSENGER WAS FOUND DECEASED. THE CESSNA A185F WAS OPERATED AS A TITLE 14?CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS PART 91 PERSONAL FLIGHT. THE PIC STATED TO COLLIER COUNTY DETECTIVES HE ATTEMPTED A WATER LANDING WHEN THE PLANE BOUNCED OFF THE WATER, NOSE-DIVED, INVERTED, CRASHED AND SANK.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA26FA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26FA115), Feb 15, 2026: Cessna A185 (N7574N), Everglades City, FL, substantial damage, 1 fatal, investigation ongoing

## Other reports on N7574N (4)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20210906015439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210906015439A), Sep 6, 2021: Cessna A185F (N7574N), Kingsley, IA, Substantial damage. Aircraft engine lost power landed in corn field and flipped over.
- [Accident 20060129001099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060129001099A), Jan 29, 2006: Cessna A185F (N7574N), Pembroke, MA, Substantial damage. (-23) On January 29, 2006, inspector [privacy data omitted] and I conducted an accident investigation located at a private strip in Pembroke, MA. The pilot…
- [Incident 19960518024179I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960518024179I), May 18, 1996: Cessna A185F (N7574N), Denver, CO, Minor damage. Narrative: on 18 may 1996, on take-off runway 35R at approx. 40 KTS a push to the left was noticed. Rt. Rudder, right brake and rt. Aileron was applied. The…
- [Incident 19851008061919I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851008061919I), Oct 8, 1985: Cessna A185F (N7574N), Lafayette, LA, Minor damage. Indications were gear down and locked on floats. Main gear did not extend. Downlock switches sticking.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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