Single-engine piston

N1978U

1970 Cessna A185E

Registered 3 NTSB/FAA records
Built
1970
Serial
18501718
Class
Single-engine piston
Engines
Continental IO 520 series
Status
Current as of October 2026
Registered owner
Individual · sign in to see
Based
Fairbanks, AK
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1970 Cessna A185E
Representative photo of a Cessna A185E. Not a photo of N1978U.
Registration record

N1978U on the FAA register

Type
1970 Cessna A185E
Serial
18501718
Engines
Continental IO 520 series
Registered owner
Individual — the name of an individual registrant is shown to signed-in users. Sign in
Fairbanks, AK
Certificate issued
1992-12-16
Airworthiness date
1975-06-12
Registration expires
2029-01-31
Airworthiness class
Multiple
Mode S (hex)
A185AF
Mode S (octal)
50302657
Seats (type)
6
Weight class
up to 12,499 lb
Range (type)
470 nm
Cruise (type)
147 kt
Status
Current as of October 2026
Registry history

Timeline

  • 2029-01-31
    Registration expires (renewal due).
  • 1992-12-16
    Certificate of registration issued as N1978U.
  • 1976-06-12
    Accident at Cantwell,Ak, 02; damage: substantial.
  • 1976-02-27
    Accident at Big Lake,Ak, 02; damage: substantial.
  • 1975-06-12
    Airworthiness date on the current FAA record (multiple category).
  • 1971-02-27
    Accident at Kalskag,Alas, 02; damage: substantial.
  • 1970
    Manufactured (1970).
Overview

About N1978U

N1978U is a 1970 Cessna A185E, serial number 18501718. It is registered to an individual in Fairbanks, Alaska. The current certificate of registration was issued on December 16, 1992 and expires on January 31, 2029.

The FAA aircraft reference file describes the type as a single-engine piston, one Continental IO 520 series engine and 6 seats. Published figures for the type give a cruise speed of about 147 knots and a range of about 470 nm; actual performance depends on configuration, load and conditions. Its airworthiness certificate is multiple category, dated June 12, 1975.

N1978U has 3 accident/incident records on file (most serious damage: substantial); details are below.

Cruise
147 kt
Range
470 nm
Power / thrust (each)
300
Takeoff over 50 ft
2,125 ft
Landing over 50 ft
1,565 ft
Fuel burn
16 gph

Published figures for the Cessna A185E type. They describe the model, not this airframe's equipment or condition.

Safety record

Accident & incident history

1976-06-12 Accident · Cantwell,Ak, 02 Damage: Substantial NTSB · 3 2036
Reported aircraft: Cessna 185
1976-02-27 Accident · Big Lake,Ak, 02 Damage: Substantial NTSB · 3 0131
Reported aircraft: Cessna 185
Probable cause: O CK AREA. HIT SNOW BERM.
1971-02-27 Accident · Kalskag,Alas, 02 Damage: Substantial NTSB · 3 0826
Reported aircraft: Cessna A185E
Probable cause: T EDGE OF FROZEN LAKE.WHEEL/SKI EQPD.

Sources: NTSB aviation accident database and CAROL case system, FAA preliminary accident & incident notices. Search accident records

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N1977U
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Data: FAA Aircraft Registry (October 2026), including deregistered aircraft; NTSB and FAA accident data; fyiAero listing history. Individual owners' names are shown to signed-in users and street addresses are never shown. Type figures are published specifications, not this aircraft's.