Pilatus PC-12/45
Aircraft Manufacturer: Pilatus
Model: PC-12/45
About the Pilatus PC-12/45
The Pilatus PC-12/45 lands at about a third on the safety percentile within its cohort of the same aircraft type, engine class, and seat range, and because a higher percentile marks a higher accident rate, that placement reads as a lower accident rate than most comparable types. Across the model's FAA-registration exposure, 10 accidents are on record, an accident rate of about 1.6 per 1,000 aircraft-years over that exposure. 6 of those 10 recorded accidents were fatal.
On the regulatory ledger, the PC-12/45 carries 25 active airworthiness directives of the 33 ever issued against the model. The most recent directive applicable to the model is dated June 3, 2024.
The PC-12/45 is the most-registered model in Pilatus's active lineup, with more than 200 aircraft on the U.S. civil registry, and its registrations make up about 69% of the manufacturer's active registered fleet. Set against every registry record the model has ever held, about one in five have since been deregistered.
Aircraft Details
| Manufacturer | Pilatus |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer Serial Number | 7090551 |
| Model | PC-12/45 |
| Category | Land |
| Aircraft Type | Fixed wing single engine |
| Weight | Class 2 (12,500 - 19,999 lbs gross take off weight) |
| Engine Type | Turbo-prop |
| Number of Engines | 1 engine |
| Number of Seats | 12 seats |
Share your captured photos of the Pilatus PC-12/45, receive attribution and a link. Safety Analysis
Composition of NTSB accident records for this model in general-aviation operations (FAR Part 91 and 137), based on NTSB data as of May 1, 2026. It's a breakdown of recorded accidents rather than a safety rating, and types with significant non-GA operation (such as Part 135) may be under-represented.
Accidents are identity-confirmed against FAA registration records (two independent sources).
7 exact, 3 recovered, 0 provisional
MethodologyTotal recorded general-aviation accidents within the analyzed period.
6 fatal accidents.
60.0% of recorded accidents were fatal.
Active aircraft fleet size contributing to the exposure data.
6,420
Aircraft-years of FAA registration exposure (2008–present).
Within its peer cohort
Within this model's peer class (same aircraft type, engine class, and seat range), comparison of its share of recorded NTSB accidents to its share of FAA registration exposure (aircraft-years since 2008).
This is a share comparison, not flight-hours adjusted, so a model flown more per airframe than its peers will show an accident share above its exposure share even if its per-hour safety is average. Methodology →
Accidents by year
Recorded NTSB general-aviation accidents per calendar year, derived directly from the NTSB accident database. Each bar shows the accidents that occurred in that year. Methodology →
Phase of flight
Which phase of flight each accident occurred in, as coded by the NTSB. Most accidents happen in the phases where most flying time is concentrated, so this isn't a measure of which phase is most dangerous.
Finding category
Top-level NTSB cause category, from the coded investigation findings. An accident often has more than one finding, so totals here can exceed the recorded accident count.
Injury severity
NTSB classification of the worst injury in each accident: None, Minor, Serious, or Fatal. Each accident counts in exactly one severity.
Operating-rule mix (all parts): 091 (10)· 135 (2)
Recorded Accidents
All 10 recorded NTSB general-aviation accidents for this model, most recent first.
| Date | Location | Tail | Damage | Highest injury | Phase of flight | Finding categories |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gustavia | N668TW | Minor | unknown | Approach | unknown | |
| Christoval, TX | N188PC | Substantial | Fatal | Approach | unknown | |
| FORT LAUDERDALE, FL | N944BT | Substantial | None | Enroute | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Mesa, AZ | N552TC | Minor | None | Taxi | Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| Crownpoint, NM | N811VM | Substantial | None | Landing | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Burlington, NC | N68PK | Substantial | Fatal | Initial climb | Personnel issues, Aircraft, Environmental issues | |
| Raphine, VA | N578DC | Substantial | Fatal | Enroute | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Butte, MT | N128CM | Substantial | Fatal | Prior to flight | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Hayden, CO | N604WP | Destroyed | Fatal | Prior to flight | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Oklahoma City, OK | N398J | unknown | Fatal | Standing | Environmental issues, Personnel issues |
Airworthiness Directives
Composition of FAA airworthiness directives (ADs) that apply to this model, as of October 15, 2026. ADs are mandatory FAA-issued corrective actions for safety-of-flight issues. Pilots, owners, and operators should always verify against the current FAA AD listing before any maintenance or flight action. Methodology →
25 active · 33 total airworthiness directives issued against this model · most recent:
Directives by year
Count of airworthiness directives issued against this model per calendar year (publication date in the Federal Register). Includes both active and superseded directives. An active AD still applies; a superseded one was replaced by a later AD.
Directives by system / component (JASC / ATA code)
Breakdown of the AD count for this model by the FAA's coded subject classification. The corpus mixes legacy 2-digit ATA chapter codes and modern 4-digit JASC codes; both forms are surfaced as separate bars (see the methodology page).
Recent directives
The most recent airworthiness directives applicable to this model, by effective date. A Superseded badge means a later AD has replaced this one; we still list the original so it isn't lost from the page.
| AD number | Effective date | Subject | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
2024-08-07 |
Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes | Active | |
2023-12-17 |
Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes | Superseded | |
2023-09-12 |
Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes | Active | |
2022-19-03 |
Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes | Superseded | |
2016-26-08 |
Airworthiness Directives; PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. Airplanes | Superseded |