# SDR 2026FA0000921

- Type: Service difficulty report (as reported; unverified)
- Difficulty date: October 22, 2026
- Submitted: November 5, 2026
- Operation: General aviation
- Aircraft: [N6447J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6447J), registered now
- Make and model: Piper PA 28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA 28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-anderson-pa-28-180) (OpenAirDocs)
- Aircraft serial: 284865
- Aircraft time: 6,548 hours
- Engine: Lyc O360A4A
- System (JASC): [8011 · Engine Starter](https://openairdocs.org/jasc/8011)
- Part: Solenoid
- Condition: Stuck
- Location: Starter
- Stage of operation: CL
- How discovered: O
- Nature of condition: S
- Precautionary procedure: A
- FAA source: FAA Service Difficulty Reporting System (https://sdrs.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/sdr/2026FA0000921

## Discrepancy

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.

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