Aircraft Description
N185K is a 1971 Cessna A185E, a single-engine reciprocating (piston) aircraft registered to Northern Aviation LLC in Palmer, AK. This aircraft holds a restricted airworthiness certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration on June 21, 1991. The registration certificate was issued on October 5, 2006. The registration is set to expire on September 30, 2028. Powered by a Cont Motor IO 520 SERIES engine producing 285 horsepower, N185K is. The aircraft's Mode S transponder code is A15420 (hex), used for ADS-B identification and flight tracking. The FAA registry record for N185K was last updated on July 17, 2023. AviatorDB monitors aircraft positions through ADS-B surveillance data and updates records as new position data is received.
The Cessna 185 Skywagon became the quintessential bush plane and utility aircraft for remote operations worldwide. First flown in the early 1960s, it was a high-wing single-engine monoplane powered by a Continental IO-470-F or IO-520-D engine, seating up to six occupants. Measuring over 25 feet in length with excellent short-field performance, the aircraft was manufactured by Cessna Aircraft Company from 1961 to 1985, with 4,427 units produced. AviatorDB tracks 80,556 Cessna aircraft currently registered in the FAA database. The ICAO type designator for this aircraft model is C185.
AviatorDB has found no NTSB accident or incident reports involving N185K. AviatorDB cross-references all FAA registration data with NTSB accident and incident reports, providing a comprehensive safety overview for every registered aircraft in the United States.
Registered Owner
Powerplant & Avionics
NTSB Accident History (2)
| Date | NTSB # | Damage | Highest Injury | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 8, 2004 | DEN04LA071 | Substantial | Serious | 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 15, 1996 | SEA96LA193 | Substantial | None | failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane and runway alignment during the takeoff roll. Factors relating to the accident were: the crosswind, and possible dragging of the right brake. |
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.
failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane and runway alignment during the takeoff roll. Factors relating to the accident were: the crosswind, and possible dragging of the right brake.
Additional Details
Data Source
Data provided by the US Federal Aviation Administration. View on FAA.gov
Last updated: 2026-05-01 01:32:20 UTC