Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human-Machine Interface; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft; Human Factors
During our climb out my First Officer was completing the after takeoff checklist. Upon selecting the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) mode switch to norm; the #2 engine lost all indications of torque (digital and analog); the prop dropped to about 1000 rpm; and the Inlet Turbine Temperature (ITT) was indicating in the 500 to 600 degree range. Realizing we had an engine failure; which we believed to be a turbine failure; I called for the shutdown of the #2 engine. We then declared an emergency with atc and ran the appropriate checklists. Once the aircraft was secured I notified dispatch of the event; and after consulting with them about the weather decided to divert to ZZZ to land. I then notified the Flight Attendant of the situation and that we were heading to ZZZ and also made a PA to inform the passengers. We landed without further incident. Engine gauges indicated a failure and the aircraft handling/performance supported that conclusion. The engine failed and the First Officer and I responded per our training in accordance with established emergency procedures. I called for the shutdown of the #2 engine. We then declared an emergency with atc and ran the appropriate checklists.
DHC8 Captain experienced a loss of torque indication; along with low RPM and ITT; when the ECU switch was placed to NORM after takeoff. The engine was shut down and the flight diverted to a suitable airport.