Vans Aircraft Inc RV-12
Aircraft Manufacturer: Vans Aircraft Inc
Model: RV-12
About the Vans Aircraft Inc RV-12
The RV-12 is the most-registered model in Van's Aircraft's active lineup, with more than 500 aircraft on the U.S. civil registry. The model accounts for about 61% of the manufacturer's active registered fleet.
Across the registry records ever held for the RV-12, attrition stands at about 4%.
The RV-12 records about 2.8 accidents per 1,000 aircraft-years over the type's FAA-registration exposure. Its safety percentile sits at about a quarter of its peer cohort of the same aircraft type, engine class, and seat range, where a higher percentile means a higher accident rate, so the RV-12's accident rate falls below most comparable types in that cohort. Of 18 recorded accidents for the model, 8 were fatal.
Aircraft Details
| Manufacturer | Vans Aircraft Inc |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer Serial Number | 05622D3 |
| Model | RV-12 |
| Category | Land |
| Builder Certification | Not Type Certificated |
| Aircraft Type | Fixed wing single engine |
| Weight | Class 1 (Up to 12,499 lbs gross take off weight) |
| Engine Type | 4 Cycle |
| Number of Engines | 1 engine |
| Number of Seats | 2 seats |
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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).
16 exact, 2 recovered, 0 provisional
MethodologyTotal recorded general-aviation accidents within the analyzed period.
8 fatal accidents.
44.4% of recorded accidents were fatal.
Active aircraft fleet size contributing to the exposure data.
6,396
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 (18)
Recorded Accidents
All 20 recorded NTSB general-aviation accidents for this model, most recent first.
| Date | Location | Tail | Damage | Highest injury | Phase of flight | Finding categories |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abingdon, VA | N813JC | Substantial | Serious | Approach | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Chesterfield, VA | N4754 | Substantial | None | Landing | Personnel issues, Aircraft, Environmental issues | |
| Paris, ID | N916PH | Substantial | None | Takeoff | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Auburn, WA | N412JN | Substantial | Fatal | Uncontrolled descent | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Novato, CA | N28BS | Substantial | None | Landing | Aircraft | |
| Climax, NC | N543GM | Destroyed | Fatal | Initial climb | Personnel issues, Aircraft, Environmental issues | |
| Chandler, TX | N86GV | Substantial | Fatal | Enroute | Aircraft | |
| Westfield, MA | N33EV | Substantial | None | Taxi | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Folkston, GA | N525AT | Destroyed | Fatal | Maneuvering | Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| Byron, CA | N975G | Substantial | None | Takeoff | Aircraft | |
| Lady Lake, FL | N767FS | Destroyed | Fatal | Approach | Aircraft, Not determined | |
| Niceville, FL | N232VA | Substantial | Fatal | Initial climb | Aircraft, Not determined, Personnel issues | |
| Bonita Springs, FL | N262WS | Destroyed | Fatal | Maneuvering | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Fishers, IN | N212ZF | Destroyed | Fatal | Initial climb | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Eugene, OR | N234VA | Substantial | None | Takeoff | Aircraft, Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| Stevensville, MD | N276VA | Substantial | Fatal | Approach | Personnel issues, Aircraft, Environmental issues | |
| Oshkosh, WI | N242VA | Substantial | None | Landing | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Bayport, NY | N409FM | Minor | None | Initial climb | Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| Waldport, OR | N572LS | Substantial | None | Landing | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Williamson, GA | N678AD | Substantial | None | Approach | Personnel issues |