As reported to the FAA. Reports are unverified, and codes are left as the FAA publishes them.
What was found
PILOT REPORTED STARTER MAKING A GRINDING NOISE. TROUBLESHOOTING REVEALED THE STARTER DRIVE GEAR NOT FULLY MESHING IN RING GEAR. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED MOVEMENT OF START DRIVE CASE WHILE MOVING PROP WITH DRIVE ENGAGED. CRACK WAS FOUND ON FWD LT CORNER OF MOUNTING FLANGE BROKEN OFF AND CRACK EMITTING ALONG RT SIDE OF FLANGE. POSSIBLE CAUSE ENGING KICKBACK DURING STARTING PROCEDURES. ALSO, EVIDENT WAS CASTING POROSITY IN NOSE CASE.