Page 15 - August 2023

If you hit the starter switch in your King Air and nothing happens, or if you get a “gen out” light while in flight, starter generators will become top of mind. Generally speaking though, starter generators are not too problematic in most King Airs. The notable exception is the “Infamous -001” found in King Air 300s and 350s (more on that later).
The majority of King Airs flying today use one of three starter generator models. It’s common practice to refer to them by the manufacturer part number (23048-016, -018 and 23085-001) rather than the Beechcraft part number. My apologies to anyone flying a straight 90, A90, B90 or B100, as your starter generators will not be covered here.
Part Number: 23048-016
This is the most common starter generator used on King Airs; it is found on all 200s and B200s, all F90s and later model C90s. It incorporates a wet drive spline. The -016 is not subject to periodic spline lubrication or starter gear checks. For this reason, many King Airs that came with -018s, (early C90s, some E90s, straight 100s and A100s) have had their engines converted to accommodate the 23048-016. This involves installation of a Pratt & Whitney Service Bulletin during engine overhaul. Consequently, there is no benchmark serial number among C90s that identifies which type of starter generator it may have.
Part Number: 23048-018
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Model E90s, early C90s, straight 100s and A100s 26
all had starter generator, part number 23048-018. It has a dry drive spline which must be lubricated every 400 hours. The starter generator must be removed so the spline can be lubed. Additionally, the starter gear must be inspected for excess wear using a special tool developed by Pratt & Whitney specifically for this purpose. Failure to perform the drive spline lube on a -018 results in premature wear of the spline itself. If not detected and remedied, the spline will wear out the starter gear inside the accessory gearbox at the rear of the engine. Replacement of the starter gear requires removal of the engine accessory gearbox. This gets very expensive. The 400-hour drive spline lube on a -018 is cheap insurance against this situation.
AUGUST 2023
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KING AIR MAGAZINE • 13