PA-31 Navajo/Chieftan/Mojave/T1040
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 250; Flight Crew Total 1500; Flight Crew Type 50
Distraction; Workload; Situational Awareness; Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Aircraft
Left engine had been running a little rough throughout the flight. As we descended the engine started to lose power; and upon leveling off at 1;000 feet AGL there was a large drop in EGT and Manifold pressure - but the propeller was still spinning. I tried troubleshooting - switching tanks; boost pumps on; etc. but nothing gave the engine more power. We were losing altitude while approaching the shoreline; so I elected to feather the engine - lest we lose any additional altitude. I wanted to get all aircraft separated from myself; and because I felt that at that time and altitude - that was the correct thing to do.
A PA-31 left engine after lost power and when troubleshooting did not recover it the pilot feathered the engine while level at 1;000 feet preparing to land.