PA-34-200T Turbo Seneca II
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 200; Flight Crew Total 16000; Flight Crew Type 300
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
The following event took place while I was conducting an ATP AMEL checkride as Designated Pilot Examiner. While executing a circle to land maneuver; the applicant and myself felt what appeared to be the loss of the left engine. The left engine RPM gage indicated a (low RPM) of approximately 1400. Additionally; a windmilling propeller condition existed as observed by severe drag and the necessity to set the aircraft controls for a zero side slip. The propeller was non responsive when the lever was moved forward and aft above the feathered position. The decision was made to feather that engine and land. Although we were at a non-towered airport; we [let everyone know our situation] over CTAF and landed single engine without incident. I suspect the propeller governor failed creating this [problem] although the cause has not yet been determined by maintenance.
On the circling portion of an instrument approach in a Piper Seneca II; I experienced a lack of thrust and uncommanded yaw to the left. I noticed that the RPM on the left engine had decreased and was not responding to throttle movements. The pilot not flying was a FAA examiner and I told him that something was wrong with the left engine. Between the two of us we determined that there was indeed a problem with the left engine and needed to feather the left propeller in order to gain single engine climb performance. After successfully feathering the left propeller we were able to continue the circling portion of the approach and landed uneventfully.
During an ATP AMEL checkride in a PA-34-200T; the pilot experienced an actual engine malfunction; so he feathered the engine and landed successfully.