Dash 8-300
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Aircraft
[After takeoff] at acceleration height the Captain called 'flaps up; set climb power; climb checklist.' As I began to pull the condition levers back to 1;050 the aircraft experienced an unusual yaw and unusual engine noise. The #1 engine RPM was indicating the propeller had feathered and the #1 engine torque was indicating max torque. The captain and I agreed these signs indicated an unscheduled feather on the #1 side; and concluded the safest course of action was to secure the engine and return to [departure airport] to land. We [advised] ATC; notified dispatch; briefed the flight attendant; and informed the passengers. ATC gave us vectors while we completed all applicable checklists before returning to land. We landed safely with no further incident.
Dash 8-300 FO reported shortly after takeoff #1 engine entered an unscheduled feather condition. Engine was secured and flight returned to departure airport.