What was found
ON 10/22/2026 AT APPROX 10:15 A.M., WHILE IN A SOUTHBOUND CLIMB, AT ABOUT 2,000 FEET AND 4 MILES FROM ACADIANA REGIONAL AIRPORT (KARA), THE INSTRUCTOR NOTICED A STEADY VOLTMETER DROP & AVIONICS FLICKERING IN PIPER PA-28-180 N6447J. THE TRANSPONDER INDICATED UNAVAILABLE. INSTRUCTOR CONTACTED THE TOWER, NEVER LOST COMMUNICATION, & RETURNED TO KARA FOR A NORMAL LANDING, REPORTED THE PROBLEMS TO MAINT. MAINT FOUND THE STARTER SOLENOID STUCK CLOSED, WHICH KEPT POWER RUNNING THROUGH THE STARTER AFTER ENGINE START & DURING FLIGHT AND CAUSED AN OVER-VOLTAGE. THE OVER-VOLTAGE FAILED THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR AND TRIPPED THE ALTERNATOR CIRCUIT BREAKER, CAUSING THE ALTERNATOR CIRCUIT TO FAIL. ALTERNATOR WAS GOOD. REPLACED STARTER, STARTER SOLENOID AND VOLTAGE REGULATOR; LEAK AND OPS CHECK GOOD; RETURNED TO SERVICE.