While discussing this with some mechanic buddies they mentioned a 12 here in CA for sale because the engine gave out. Don't have the specifics.
I don't think it's reasonable to imply there is only "one" other failure in the fleet given my experience. Vans never asked me anything about the engine - they simply told me to call Lockwood. I doubt there's any record of my failure with the mothership prior to this thread and I started this thread six months after the failure.
If there's a desire to make statements as to the number of engine failures perhaps a protocol could be established when builders call in. I've spoke to five people at Vans, seven if you include Scott and Vic.
I am not at all clear how if no one at Van's asked you about your engine and that you have spoken (or communicated via text message) with seven people there, that it implies there could be other failures that are not known about.
You mentioned you were calling because of an engine failure, correct?
I also don't understand what is unreasonable about saying there has only been one other failure if that is all of the information that is publicly available.
Nothing in the world is a certainty.
I admit it is possible the other one I mentioned isn't the only one, assuming someone had a failure and told no one at Van's, told no one else that took the time to mention it on line (until now like you have, which would be extremely rare) and didn't make any attempt to file a warranty claim with one of the Rotax Dealers.
I think most people would agree that was rather unlikely, but yes, not impossible.
If the one you mention is real, can you provide some details? A link to a for sale ad of an airplane with a broken engine perhaps?
Your post seems to have a desire of inducing doubt that there are only two (for what reason I am not entirely sure).
Maybe there is one there in CA for sale with a failed engine, but without knowing what the cause was it is not relevant to implying a problem with RV-12's......... an engine failure could be caused by something as simple as an improperly tightened oil hose coming loose in flight causing a loss of oil and failure of the engine. Surely you can agree that though unfortunate, that would be entirely the fault of the builder/maintainer
I think it would be of more value if there was emphasis on discovering what the cause of
your engine failure was.
I think there has been requests for more info/photos that might provide some answers, but I haven't seen that info presented yet.