Single-engine piston

N9823X

1961 Cessna 185

Registered 3 NTSB/FAA records
Built
1961
Serial
185-0023
Class
Single-engine piston
Engines
Continental IO-470 series
Status
Current as of October 2026
Registered owner
Top Hand Inc (Corporation)
Based
Laurel, MT
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1961 Cessna 185
Representative photo of a Cessna 185. Not a photo of N9823X.
Registration record

N9823X on the FAA register

Type
1961 Cessna 185
Serial
185-0023
Engines
Continental IO-470 series
Registered owner
Top Hand Inc
Laurel, MT
Certificate issued
2010-02-03
Airworthiness date
1961-03-31
Registration expires
2029-10-31
Airworthiness class
Standard
Mode S (hex)
ADB569
Mode S (octal)
53332551
Seats (type)
6
Weight class
up to 12,499 lb
Range (type)
720 nm
Cruise (type)
135 kt
Status
Current as of October 2026
Registry history

Timeline

  • 2029-10-31
    Registration expires (renewal due).
  • 2010-02-03
    Certificate of registration issued as N9823X.
  • 1999-03-01
    Accident at Durango, CO; damage: substantial.
  • 1992-06-13
    Accident at Durango, CO; damage: substantial.
  • 1989-08-06
    Accident at Durango, CO; damage: substantial.
  • 1961-03-31
    Airworthiness date on the current FAA record (standard category).
Overview

About N9823X

N9823X is a 1961 Cessna 185, serial number 185-0023. The FAA register lists Top Hand Inc as the registrant in Laurel, Montana. The current certificate of registration was issued on February 3, 2010 and expires on October 31, 2029.

The FAA aircraft reference file describes the type as a single-engine piston, one Continental IO-470 series engine and 6 seats. Published figures for the type give a cruise speed of about 135 knots and a range of about 720 nm; actual performance depends on configuration, load and conditions. Its airworthiness certificate is standard category, dated March 31, 1961.

N9823X has 3 accident/incident records on file (most serious damage: substantial); details are below.

Cruise
135 kt
Range
720 nm
Landing over 50 ft
2,403 ft
Fuel burn
17 gph

Published figures for the Cessna 185 type. They describe the model, not this airframe's equipment or condition.

Safety record

Accident & incident history

1999-03-01 Accident · Durango, CO Damage: Substantial NTSB · DEN99LA045
Reported aircraft: Cessna 185
Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and inadvertently allowing the airplane to ground loop. Factors were gusty crosswind conditions, pertinent crosswind information not made available by the manufacturer, and FAA's inadequate certification and approval of the airplane.
1992-06-13 Accident · Durango, CO Damage: Substantial NTSB · DEN92LA058
Reported aircraft: Cessna 185
Probable cause: IMPROPER USE OF BRAKES. FACTORS WERE: POORLY PLANNED APPROACH AND EXCESSIVE LANDING SPEED.
1989-08-06 Accident · Durango, CO Damage: Substantial NTSB · DEN89LA188
Reported aircraft: Cessna 185
Probable cause: IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT. THE WIND CONDITION WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

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

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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.