[Wing] Sky Tec Starter model 149-12 PM -RV4, 180HP

[George Worden]

After 490 hours and maybe 2000 starts I had a massive failure- broke the
starter casting right off. It appears that somehow the starter pinion
managed to climb up on top of the ring gear. Minor scars to the ring gear
but the starter is toast.
Any other experience out there? Any idea how this could happen? And no, the
starter was not loose on its mounts.
                   
                     George Worden