Duchess 76
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 182; Flight Crew Total 909; Flight Crew Type 647
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft
While conducting a full engine shut down procedure during a training flight in a BE-76; I declared an emergency following an unsuccessful attempt to unfeather the propeller on my left engine. At the time of the attempt to unfeather the propeller; we were approximately five miles south/south east from an airport at an altitude of approximately 5;500 FT.My student followed the checklist for the air start procedure. When he rapidly pushed the propeller pitch lever to the full forward position; there was no movement of the propeller. The propeller remained in the full feather position. We attempted a second time but still nothing happened. I noticed that there appeared to be a liquid streak along the inside of the feathered propeller blade. While I had seen this before; this appeared to be more than normal.Additionally; I had previously started a partially-feathered engine using the electric starter and was concerned that a completely feathered propeller might produce excessive vibration which could be detrimental to the aircraft. I then decided that the safest course of action was to land immediately; and declared an emergency in accordance with previous company instructions. We returned to land without further incident.
Duchess 76 Instructor conducting an intentional engine shut down during training when the propeller failed to un-feather. Pilot declared an emergency and landed immediately.