Service difficulty report · Starter · Robsin R44

Difficulty date
August 20, 2024
Submitted
August 20, 2024
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N832AK
Make and model
Robsin R44
Aircraft serial
1324
Part
Starter
Part number
14924HT
Condition
Deteriorated
Location
Engine
Part time
20 hours
Stage of operation
TX
How discovered
V
Nature of condition
W
Precautionary procedure
K

As reported to the FAA. Reports are unverified, and codes are left as the FAA publishes them.

What was found

SKYTECH STARTERS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THE GO TO & BEST IN THE BUSINESS BUT IN THE LAST YEAR OR 2 THEY HAVE MASSIVELY GONE DOWN HILL. WE HAVE HAD 3 STARTERS ON DIFFERENT HELICOPTERS IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS RANDOMLY FAIL IN VARIOUS WAYS. ONE BEING WHAT WE BELIEVE TO BE THE SOLENOID FAILED IN 2 WEEKS 20 HOURS OF FLIGHT. ANOTHER ONE JUST KIND OF FELL APART ON STARTING, THE CIRCLIP HOLDING THE DRIVE GEAR ON POPPED OUT AND THE GEAR FELL OFF. FINALLY, THE REAR PLATE ON THE SOLENOID APPEARED TO SOMEHOW BE INSTALLED BACKWARDS CAUSING THE HOLD DOWN BOLTS TO BOW. IT'S JUST DISAPPOINTING WHEN A COMPANY GETS BOUGHT OUT BY A BIG WIG MOTHER COMPANY AND THE QUALITY GOES OUT THE DOOR.