Dash 8 Series Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Rejected Takeoff; Flight Crew Returned To Gate; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
After being cleared for takeoff; during the initial phase of the takeoff roll; the FO (pilot flying) called for takeoff power to be set. The ground range lights were called dark and the auto feather was called armed. At that point; there was an audible change in the sound of the number 1 engine followed by a yawing moment to the left. At 60 knots the takeoff was rejected and we taxied off the runway and ran the rejected takeoff checklist. The FO stated he observed the torque on the number 1 engine decrease to 60% and continue to trend lower as he rejected the takeoff. Due to the very rapid rejection of the takeoff; I was unable to observe the remainder of the engine instruments. Once the aircraft was taxied off the runway; both engines appeared to operate normally with power settings between flight idle and disc. Additionally; bleed selector 1 and 2 were confirmed on. According to the flight attendant; there was a customer in the back who stated was a pilot; and that he heard 'something wrong' with the engine just prior to our rejecting the takeoff. We then returned to the gate; deplaned; and maintenance control was notified of the status of the aircraft.
Dash-8 Captain reported rejecting takeoff when the number one engine torque began to drop. The flight returned to the gate for maintenance.