Vans Aircraft Inc RV-12IS
Aircraft Manufacturer: Vans Aircraft Inc
Model: RV-12IS
About the Vans Aircraft Inc RV-12IS
The Van's Aircraft RV-12iS is a two-seat, single-engine airplane in the U.S. light-sport category. Van's Aircraft introduced the iS variant in 2017.
More than 300 examples are on the U.S. civil registry, giving the type the second-largest active fleet in Van's Aircraft's lineup. Those aircraft account for about 37% of the maker's active registered fleet.
Over its FAA-registration exposure, the type records about 5.3 accidents per 1,000 aircraft-years, a higher accident rate than about two-thirds of comparable types. Of 5 recorded accidents, 2 involved a fatality. Nearly all airframes ever registered remain on the U.S. civil registry.
Aircraft Details
| Manufacturer | Vans Aircraft Inc |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer Serial Number | 06001B1 |
| Model | RV-12IS |
| Category | Land |
| Builder Certification | Light Sport |
| 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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Asking Prices
What sellers are asking for the Vans Aircraft Inc RV-12IS, across current listings, grouped by model year.
As of September 29, 2026. How we calculate this.
| Years | Currency | Typical asking range | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–2024 | USD | ≈ $140k – $150k | ≈ $150k |
These are asking prices, not sale prices. What any one aircraft asks or sells for can swing widely with airframe and engine condition, damage history, avionics, paint and interior, logbooks and service records, and plenty else a listing never shows.
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).
5 exact, 0 recovered, 0 provisional
MethodologyTotal recorded general-aviation accidents within the analyzed period.
2 fatal accidents.
40.0% of recorded accidents were fatal.
Active aircraft fleet size contributing to the exposure data.
978 (± 36)
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 →
Investigations take 12–36 months to finalise, so the trailing years come in incomplete. Recent years are adjusted upward for that lag. Observed counts show as solid bars, the lag-adjusted estimate shows hatched.
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 (5)
Recorded Accidents
All 5 recorded NTSB general-aviation accidents for this model, most recent first.
| Date | Location | Tail | Damage | Highest injury | Phase of flight | Finding categories |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton, WI | N46TB | Substantial | None | Landing | unknown | |
| Hartford, WI | N18HS | Substantial | None | Landing | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Homosassa, FL | N702DP | Substantial | Fatal | Maneuvering | unknown | |
| Scappoose, OR | N725FA | Substantial | Serious | Maneuvering | unknown | |
| Big Pine Key, FL | N123RR | Destroyed | Fatal | Enroute | Personnel issues, Aircraft |