Dash 8-300
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Troubleshooting; Distraction; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance
Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Procedure
After setting climb power and completing the associated flow upon working the after takeoff checklist I noticed that the auto-feather selection button still had the amber 'Arm' light relit with the switch deselected during the after takeoff flow. The system re-armed the auto-feather and was notified that the aircraft has had a history of that happening. Contacted company and Maintenance made the decision for us to return to the departure airport to have maintenance work on the plane there and upon returning to the field the amber 'arm' indication extinguished itself.
A DHC-8-300 autofeather remained armed after takeoff with the switch was de-selected during the after takeoff flow; so the flight returned to the departure airport but the system deactivated prior to landing.