Service difficulty report · Drive Gear · Piper PA38112

Difficulty date
August 9, 2002
Submitted
August 16, 2002
Operation
General aviation
Make and model
Piper PA38112
Aircraft time
929 hours
Engine
Lyc O235L2C
Part
Drive Gear
Condition
Disintegrated
Location
Starter Motor
Component
Starter Motor · Prestolite · MZ4204
Stage of operation
TO
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
E
Precautionary procedure
C

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

What was found

(CAN) ON TAKEOFF, PILOT REPORTED NOISE AND ABORTED. INSPECTION REVEALED DISINTEGRATION OF STARTER MOTOR BENDIX DRIVE GEAR AND FRONT STARTER BUSHING IN CONTACT WITH SPINNER BACKING PLATE. THE BENDIX APPARENTLY DID NOT DISENGAGE AFTER STARTUP AND THE ENGINE DROVE THE STARTER MOTOR TO FAILURE. APPEARS THE ARMATURE SEIZED ON ITS BEARINGS, THEN THE BENDIX TRYING TO STILL TURN THE MOTOR PUSHED THE ARMATURE FORWARD ALONG WITH THE NOSE BUSHING INTO THE PERIPHERY OF THE SPINNER BACKING PLATE AT WHICH POINT THE BENDIX GEAR DISINTEGRATED.

More about the Piper PA-38-112