NTSB investigations: Cessna A185F

36 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Cessna A185F, where the sequence of events included Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT). Aircraft are matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model, so older matches can be wrong.

Cases per year

20082026
NTSB investigations: Cessna A185F per year, 2008–2026: 36 cases
20083
20091
20115
20124
20132
20141
20165
20175
20183
20191
20204
20231
20261

Latest cases

Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT c.\"ntsbNumber\", c.\"eventDate\", c.\"eventType\", c.\"eventCity\", c.\"eventStateOrRegion\", a.n_number, a.\"aircraftMake\", a.\"aircraftModel\", c.\"highestInjuryLevel\", c.\"totalFatal\", c.\"completionStatus\", c.report_url
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c.\"mKey\" AND a.position = 1
  WHERE c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('2072821', '2070107')
      AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND s.aircrafts_position = x.position AND s.\"tier2Number\" = '470' AND s.case_mkey IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' WHERE \"isDefiningEvent\")))
  ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

NTSB WPR26LA238Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna A185F · Angel Fire, NMThe pilot’s loss of directional control during landing with a crosswind.Jun 27, 2026 · N151PB · Substantial damageNTSB WPR23LA264Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna A185F · La Mesa, CAA total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.Jul 9, 2023 · N1839R · Substantial damageNTSB ANC20CA091Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportCessna A185 · Lime Village, AKThe pilot’s loss of control during the landing flare, which resulted in an impact with trees.Aug 30, 2020 · N107L · Substantial damageNTSB ANC20LA085Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna A185 · Fairbanks, AKThe PA-18 pilot’s failure to see and avoid the Cessna 185 as it was landing. Contributing to the accident was the PA-18 pilot’s failure to hear the traffic advisory provided by the air traffic control tower.Aug 27, 2020 · N714KH · 2 aircraft · DestroyedNTSB WPR20CA250Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportCessna A185 · Kalispell, MTThe pilot's excessive speed while landing on a wet grass runway, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a fence.Aug 3, 2020 · N185GK · Substantial damageNTSB CEN20CA101Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna A185 · Hawley, MNThe pilot's improper landing flare and touchdown, which resulted in a bounced landing and loss of directional control and the airplane's subsequent impact with a snowbank and ground loop during an attempted go-around.Feb 22, 2020 · N550FK · Substantial damageNTSB GAA19CA513Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna A185 · Rangeley Lake, METhe 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 22, 2019 · N1920Q · Substantial damageNTSB ANC19CA009Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna A185 · Big Lake, AKThe pilot's improper decision to land on a roadway during dark night conditions with inoperable landing and taxi lights, which resulted in an impact with a snow berm.Dec 23, 2018 · N93018 · Substantial damageNTSB GAA18CA501Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna A185 · McCall, IDThe disconnection of the brake cylinder actuator rod, which resulted in the pilot’s inability to maintain directional control during the landing roll.Aug 20, 2018 · N93039 · Substantial damageNTSB GAA18CA211Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna A185 · Sterling, AKThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during the approach to land due to the sun glare.Apr 12, 2018 · N8702Z · Substantial damageNTSB GAA17CA439Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna A185 · Arctic Village, AKThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control after an aborted takeoff.Jul 22, 2017 · N5227R · Substantial damageNTSB ANC17LA037Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna A185 · Wasilla, AKThe pilot’s failure to manage fuel quantity in flight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to follow manufacturer guidance for restoring engine power after emptying a fuel…Jul 16, 2017 · N401WC · Substantial damageNTSB GAA17CA270Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna A185 · Columbia, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control in tailwind and crosswind conditions.May 9, 2017 · N185RX · Substantial damageNTSB GAA17CA271Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna A185 · Big Rapids, MIThe pilot’s failure to obtain updated weather information while practicing takeoffs and landings and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in gusting crosswind conditions.May 7, 2017 · N873SL · Substantial damageNTSB GAA17CA147Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna A185 · Fairbanks, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain an appropriate glidepath to the runway and to use the vertical guidance system.Feb 19, 2017 · N185AE · Substantial damageNTSB ANC17LA005Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A185 · Ninilchik, AKA loss of brake system fluid due to leaks in the o-rings, which resulted in asymmetrical braking and a subsequent loss of directional control during the landing roll.Nov 12, 2016 · N4918Q · Substantial damageNTSB GAA17CA013Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna A185 · San Antonio, TXThe pilot's failure to recognize the tailwind condition and maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion.Oct 7, 2016 · N4924E · Substantial damageNTSB GAA16CA438Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna A185 · Fayetteville, TNThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and a ground loop.Aug 21, 2016 · N185DK · Substantial damageNTSB GAA16CA443Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna A185 · Klamath Falls, ORThe pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in the airplane porpoising and the subsequent loss of directional control.Aug 19, 2016 · N185SC · Substantial damageNTSB GAA16CA260Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna A185 · Anchorage, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a ground loop.May 25, 2016 · N17SR · Substantial damageNTSB CEN14CA154Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 185 · Eden Prairie, MNThe pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff with a gusty crosswind.Mar 9, 2014 · N4764B · Substantial damageNTSB ANC14CA009Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna A185F · Nenana, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, which resulted in a collision with terrain.Nov 23, 2013 · N8310Q · Substantial damageNTSB WPR13CA326Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna A185F · Cascade, IDThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during final approach due to the sun glare that obscured the pilot's vision.Jul 14, 2013 · N185BW · Substantial damageNTSB ANC12LA106Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Denali Park, AKThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from an electric transmission line during the approach to land because he was distracted by the airplane’s broken and deflected landing ski. Contributing to the accident was the in-flight failure of the right ski…Sep 13, 2012 · N4786Q · Substantial damageNTSB ANC12LA046Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Skwentna, AKThe pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power in cruise flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to follow the checklist after the loss of engine power.Jun 2, 2012 · N1795R · Substantial damageNTSB WPR12FA184Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Blanding, UTThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during low-level maneuvering flight. Contributing to the pilot’s death was the lack of a timely emergency rescue response due to the lack of effective emergency signal transmissions from both the airplane’s…Apr 25, 2012 · N243W · Substantial damageNTSB CEN12CA190Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna A185F · Fort Worth, TXThe pilot did not maintain directional control of the airplane while landing in gusty wind conditions.Mar 17, 2012 · N185GS · Substantial damageNTSB WPR11CA406Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna A185F · Polson, MTThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.Aug 21, 2011 · N61609 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA11FA376Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Yabucoa, PRThe pilot's inadequate weather planning and improper decision to continue a visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an encounter with a thunderstorm and subsequent loss of control.Jul 1, 2011 · N8436Q · Substantial damageNTSB ANC11CA032Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna A185F · Talkeetna, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.May 17, 2011 · N125KT · Substantial damageNTSB ERA11CA277Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna A185F · Ocean City, NJThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.May 3, 2011 · N6389E · Substantial damageNTSB ERA11GA207Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna A185F · Ashland, MEAn inadvertent encounter with localized instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of control.Mar 24, 2011 · N724MT · Substantial damageNTSB WPR09CA276Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna A185F · Wenatchee, WAThe pilot's misjudged approach and failure to attain the proper touchdown point.Jun 2, 2009 · N1015F · Substantial damageNTSB LAX08FA244Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Shelton, WAThe pilot's failure to attain and maintain adequate airspeed during initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.Jul 24, 2008 · N6320N · DestroyedNTSB ANC08LA085Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 185 · McCarthy, AKThe pilot's improper fuel management which resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power during cruise flight. Contributing to the accident was an aerodynamic stall during the emergency landing, the pilot's fatigue, and his unfamiliarity with the…Jul 4, 2008 · N80596 · Substantial damageNTSB ANC08CA062Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 185 · Talkeetna, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was an inadvertent ground-loop.May 5, 2008 · N125KT · Substantial damage