Cessna A185F Accident Near Everglades City, Florida (N7574N)

Accident Overview and Flight Path On February 15, 2026, at approximately 1155 eastern standard time, a Cessna A185F, registration N7574N, was substantially damaged in an accident near Everglades City, Florida. The aircraft was operating as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot sustained serious injuries, while the passenger was fatally injured. Preliminary ADS-B data indicated that the aircraft departed from Marco Island Executive Airport (MKY) at 1116 and flew southeast toward the coastline. It followed the coastline, executing multiple turns until reaching Pavilion Key, Florida. After passing over Pavilion Key, the aircraft turned northwest and proceeded back up the coastline. Approximately 5 miles west of Everglades City, the aircraft performed multiple low-altitude maneuvers over the Ten Thousand Islands portion of the Everglades National Park. The final ADS-B data point was recorded about 0.5 mile east of the accident site. ## Wreckage Location and Condition The aircraft was located upside down in the water within the Ten Thousand Islands portion of the Everglades National Park. At high tide, only the floats were visible above the waterline; at low tide, the floats and approximately half of the fuselage were exposed. The amphibious landing gear and water rudders were found in the “UP” (water landing) position. During recovery, the aircraft was turned upright onto its floats and towed to shore, with the floats supporting the aircraft’s weight for several hours. Post-accident examination revealed substantial damage to the fuselage, primarily concentrated in the forward section. ## Post-Accident Examination Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit to all associated flight controls. Binding was noted in the rudder pedals, consistent with damage to the right water rudder sustained during recovery. No other flight controls exhibited unusual resistance. The flap handle was impact-damaged and found in the 1st detent (10° of flaps), but the flaps operated normally. The horizontal stabilizer trim jack screws were measured at 5.5 inches, near the nose-up stop. The front seats were equipped with a 3-point shoulder harness seatbelt system. The pilot-side restraint remained attached and undamaged, with the belt buckle unlatched and operating normally during testing. The copilot-side restraint system remained attached, but one harness restraint was cut; its belt buckle was also unlatched and operated normally. The pilot seat’s inertia reel secondary seat stop functioned normally during testing. The wreckage was retained for further examination.