Service difficulty report · Drive Gear · Piper PA31350

Difficulty date
December 6, 2006
Submitted
January 19, 2007
Operation
General aviation
Make and model
Piper PA31350
Aircraft time
16,308 hours
Engine
Lyc TIO540J2BD
Propeller
Hartzl HCE3YR2A
Part
Drive Gear
Condition
Destroyed
Location
Starter
Component
Starter · MHB4014R
Stage of operation
TX
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
O
Precautionary procedure
O

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

What was found

(CAN) WHILE AIRCRAFT WAS AWAY FROM BASE ON A SCHEDULED RUN THE CREW WAS ATTEMPTING TO STAR THE NR 2 ENGINE. THEY NOTED NO ENGAGEMENT OF THE STARTER (ENGINE DID NOT TURN OVER). A MAINTENANCE CREW WAS DISPATCHED TO REPAIR THE AIRCRAFT, WHEN THE COWLINGS WERE REMOVED SEVERAL PIECES OF METAL WERE OBSERVED. UPON REMOVAL OF THE STARTER IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGAGEMENT GEAR ON THE BENDIX DRIVE HAD DISINTIGRATED, DAMAGING THE DRIVE HOUSING AS THE PIECES DEPARTED. THE STARTER WAS LESS THAN 80 HRS FROM OVERHAUL. AFTER DISCUSSION WITH THE CREW, THEY STATED THEY DID NOT DOUBLE TAP THE START SWITCH. AN INVESTIGATION IS STILL IN PROGRESS. (TC NR 20061207005)

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