Single-engine piston

N61609

1981 Cessna A185F

Registered 4 NTSB/FAA records
Built
1981
Serial
18504235
Class
Single-engine piston
Engines
Continental IO-550 series
Status
Current as of October 2026
Registered owner
Individual · sign in to see
Based
Polson, MT
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1981 Cessna A185F
Representative photo of a Cessna A185F. Not a photo of N61609.
Registration record

N61609 on the FAA register

Type
1981 Cessna A185F
Serial
18504235
Engines
Continental IO-550 series
Registered owner
Individual — the name of an individual registrant is shown to signed-in users. Sign in
Polson, MT
Certificate issued
2015-01-16
Airworthiness date
2002-12-30
Registration expires
2028-01-31
Airworthiness class
Standard · normal
Mode S (hex)
A80782
Mode S (octal)
52003602
Seats (type)
6
Weight class
up to 12,499 lb
Range (type)
645 nm
Cruise (type)
145 kt
Status
Current as of October 2026
Market asking range
$270,000 to $467,500
Middle half of 10 live Cessna A185F listings, 1973–1985 models (median $319,293). Asking prices, not an appraisal of N61609.
Registry history

Timeline

  • 2028-01-31
    Registration expires (renewal due).
  • 2015-01-16
    Certificate of registration issued as N61609 to the current registrant.
  • 2011-08-21
    Accident at Polson, MT; damage: substantial.
  • 2004-08-08
    Accident at Wasilla, AK; damage: substantial.
  • 2002-12-30
    Airworthiness date on the current FAA record (standard category (normal)).
  • 1999-06-05
    Accident at Soldotna, AK; damage: substantial.
  • 1996-08-19
    Accident at Midland, TX; damage: substantial.
  • 1981
    Manufactured (1981).
  • 1975-06-04
    N61609 previously assigned to a Cessna 172M Skyhawk / 172 Skyhawk / 172K Skyhawk (s/n 17264674); cancelled.
Overview

About N61609

N61609 is a 1981 Cessna A185F, serial number 18504235. It is registered to an individual in Polson, Montana. The current certificate of registration was issued on January 16, 2015 and expires on January 31, 2028.

The FAA aircraft reference file describes the type as a single-engine piston, one Continental IO-550 series engine and 6 seats. Published figures for the type give a cruise speed of about 145 knots and a range of about 645 nm; actual performance depends on configuration, load and conditions. Its airworthiness certificate is standard category (normal), dated December 30, 2002.

N61609 has 4 accident/incident records on file (most serious damage: substantial); details are below.

Cruise
145 kt
Range
645 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 A185F type. They describe the model, not this airframe's equipment or condition. Cessna A185F specs, prices and for-sale inventory →

Safety record

Accident & incident history

2011-08-21 Accident · Polson, MT Damage: Substantial NTSB · WPR11CA406
Reported aircraft: Cessna A185F
Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.
2004-08-08 Accident · Wasilla, AK Damage: Substantial NTSB · ANC04LA090
Reported aircraft: Cessna 185F
Probable cause: The pilot's failure to compensate for a crosswind during landing and his failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with a ditch. A factor contributing to the accident was a crosswind.
1999-06-05 Accident · Soldotna, AK Damage: Substantial Fatal injury NTSB · ANC99FA070
Reported aircraft: Cessna A185F
Probable cause: The improper recovery from a bounced water landing by the pilot. Factors associated with this accident were the pilot's failure to release his seatbelt due to the obstructed location of the pilot's seatbelt buckle.
1996-08-19 Accident · Midland, TX Damage: Substantial Serious injury NTSB · FTW96LA351
Reported aircraft: Cessna A185F
Probable cause: failure of the pilot to obtain or maintain adequate airspeed, by allowing the airplane to enter an excessive nose high attitude and an excessive rate of climb after takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent collision with the terrain. A factor relating to the accident was: the pilot's inadequate preflight by failing to ensure proper elevator trim for takeoff.

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

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Browse: Cessna aircraft for sale· Cessna A185F overview· Aircraft registered in Montana· Registry by state· FAA registry stats

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.