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NTSB investigations: Cessna A185F, CA

31 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Cessna A185F. 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.

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19752026

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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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'CA' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA' AND 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')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

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.\"eventStateOrRegion\" = 'CA' AND c.\"eventCountry\" = 'USA'
    AND 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'))
  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.

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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'CA' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
  AND 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'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.

NTSB WPR27LA010Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedInvestigation openCessna A185F · Madera, CAOct 1, 2026 · N185TT · Substantial damage NTSB WPR24LA193Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna A185F · Monument Hills, CAA total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined.Jun 12, 2024 · N8WF · Substantial damage NTSB WPR23LA264Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna A185F · La Mesa, CAA total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.Jul 9, 2023 · N1839R · Substantial damage NTSB WPR20CA275Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportCessna A185 · Susanville, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff with a tailwind, which resulted in a subsequent collapse of the right main landing gear.Aug 1, 2020 · N60934 · Substantial damage NTSB GAA19CA523Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna A185 · San Carlos, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop.Sep 3, 2019 · N34GE · Substantial damage NTSB 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 damage NTSB WPR12LA411Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Cambria, CAA partial loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane sank in the ocean and was not recovered.Sep 9, 2012 · N80SS · Substantial damage NTSB LAX06CA179Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna A185F · Columbia, CAthe pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and his failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout.May 20, 2006 · N5468E · Substantial damage NTSB LAX05LA317Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Tracy, CAloss of engine power for undetermined reasons.Sep 26, 2005 · N8548Q · Substantial damage NTSB LAX04CA278Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna A185F · Gridley, CAThe pilot's improper use of the rudder to correct for torque and P-factor effects and failure to maintain obstacle clearance.Jul 24, 2004 · N93DM · Destroyed NTSB LAX04CA117Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna A185F · Fowler, CAthe 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.Feb 7, 2004 · N8702Z · Substantial damage NTSB LAX02LA185Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Angwin, CAThe pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions resulted in a loss of directional control and a ground loop/swerve.Jun 7, 2002 · N714WH · Substantial damage NTSB LAX01LA257Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 185F · Visalia, CAThe pilot failed to maintain clearance from crops which bordered the narrow runway.Jul 22, 2001 · N1728R · Substantial damage NTSB LAX98LA003Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 185F · Oakland, CAThe pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing crosswind condition, which resulted in a loss of directional control.Oct 5, 1997 · N17SR · Substantial damage NTSB LAX95FA072Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Tehachapi, CAThe noninstrument-rated pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering to reverse direction. Factors relating to the accident were: the mountainous terrain, and adverse weather conditions.Jan 3, 1995 · N94296 · Destroyed NTSB LAX94LA120Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Valley Springs, CAthe pilot's failure to ensure that the landing gear was in the correct configuration for a water landing.Feb 10, 1994 · N4833C · Substantial damage NTSB LAX92TL#12Accident · No injuriesClass 3Final reportCessna 185F · Termo, CAJul 29, 1992 · N22FG · Substantial damage NTSB LAX90LA257Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Discovery Bay, CAThe pilot's improper visual lookout to assure the area was clear of boats before departing.Jul 14, 1990 · N888BL · Substantial damage NTSB LAX90LA184Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 185F · Terra Bella, CAThe pilot's preflight planning and preparation was poor. Contributing to this accident was the high vegetation field.May 20, 1990 · N1211F · Substantial damage NTSB LAX89LA285Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 185F · Fresno, CAFailure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the aircraft.Aug 23, 1989 · N1562H · Substantial damage NTSB LAX89LA207Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Jackson, CAThe pilot did not establish a climb rate sufficient enough to clear trees before turning towards them during a go-around. Contributing to the accident were gusty crosswinds which changed to a tailwind when the aircraft turned to the right and the pilots…May 28, 1989 · N1042F · Substantial damage NTSB LAX86LA321Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Chester, CAAfter servicing the aircraft's fuel tanks to their 80 gallon capacity the pilot, his instructor pilot, and their passenger back taxied approximately 1,300 feet from the departure end of the rwy and started their takeoff. When the aircraft failed to climb…Aug 14, 1986 · N7373H · Substantial damage NTSB LAX85FA119Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna A185F · Pine Valley, CAThe acft crashed while the plt was returning from a x-country flt at night. Witnesses reported that the acft was flying low in a westerly direction & appeared to be following interstate highway 8. One witness, who was traveling westbound, stated that the acft…Jan 22, 1985 · N24BC · Destroyed NTSB LAX84FA136Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 185 · Union City, CAThe acft crashed into hilly terrain in an almost vertical high speed power on descent. A witness about 64 miles north of the accident site had seen an acft that met the description of the accident acft 'scud running', or flying beneath the low cloud bases…Jan 11, 1984 · N93086 · Destroyed NTSB LAX82DA322Accident · No injuriesFinal reportCessna A185F · Monterey, CAPilot used brake to straighten veering aircraft and left wing dragged.Aug 28, 1982 · N94296 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX82FA031Accident · 1 fatalClosedRobertson A185F · Lake Oroville, CADec 23, 1981 · N4644E · Substantial damage NTSB LAX79DA089Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna 185 · Tunnel Meadows, CASep 24, 1979 · N8845Q · Substantial damage NTSB OAK78DVG81Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna 185 · Woodland, CASep 17, 1978 · N80330 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX78FUM21Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna A185F · Ramona, CAApr 25, 1978 · N1084F · Substantial damage NTSB OAK78DVD28Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna 185 · Tracy, CAApr 17, 1978 · N7558H · Substantial damage NTSB LAX7LDUG20Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna A185F · Bermuda Dunes, CANov 19, 1975 · N4871C · Substantial damage