The Cessna 185 Skywagon is a six-seat, single-engined, general aviation light aircraft manufactured by Cessna. It first flew as a prototype in July 1960, with the first production model completed in March 1961. The Cessna 185 is a high-winged aircraft with non-retractable conventional landing gear and a tailwheel. Over 4,400 were built with production ceasing in 1985. When Cessna re-introduced some of its most popular models in the 1990s, the tailwheel equipped Cessna 180 and 185 were not put back into production.
Design and development
The aircraft is basically a Cessna 180 with a strengthened fuselage. The main difference between the two aircraft is the larger vertical fin on the 185 and the 300 hp Continental IO-520-D engine as opposed to the 230 hp Continental O-470-S fitted to the Cessna 180. The exception was that a Continental Motors IO-470-F engine of 260 hp was initially fitted until midway through the 1966 production year. The later model Skywagon II has a factory fitted avionics package. The Skywagon can also be fitted with floats, amphibious float, or skis. The AgCarryall variant of the 185 adds a 151-gallon belly chemical tank and removable spray booms for aerial application. It is also possible to fit a cargo pod under the fuselage that can carry an extra 300 lb.
Operational history
The 180 and 185 are widely used in bush flying, the commercial transport of passengers and freight to rudimentary, remote airstrips, lakes and snowfields, primarily in Canada and Alaska.
;U-17A: Military version of the Cessna 185E, powered by a 260-hp Continental IO-470-F piston engine. Supplied by the USAF to a number of countries under the Military Assistance Programme. ;U-17B: Military version of the Cessna A185E, powered by a 300-hp Continental IO-520-D piston engine. Supplied by the USAF to a number countries under the Military Assistance Programme. ;U-17C: Four-seat light utility aircraft, powered by a Continental IO-470-L piston engine.
Operators
Civil operators
The Cessna 185 is popular with air charter companies and is operated by private individuals and companies.
Portuguese Air Force 5 x 185A operated 1968 to 1974.
Rhodesian Air Force - Two civil aircraft impressed into service, about 17 aircraft on loan from the South African Air Force, in service during the 1970s.
Air Force of El Salvador 1 x 185
South African Air Force 24 x 185A, 12 x 185D, 9 x 185E- No longer in service.
Republic of Vietnam Air Force - About 100 U-17As and U-17Bs were used by the VNAF. No longer in service.
On August 19, 1989, a Cessna A185E Skywagon registered N95KW crashed shortly after a balked landing at Coastal Airport, located near Myrtle Grove, Florida. The pilot's seat latch slipped on the railing, causing the pilot to unintentionally stall the aircraft. The pilot and the two passengers on board were all severely injured. The resulting product liability trial, concluding twelve years later, resulted in a $480 million judgment against Cessna. The case was later settled out-of-court for an undisclosed sum. This accident also brought about a series of airworthiness directives that affected all small Cessnas ever built.
