Flight Crew Last 90 Days 300; Flight Crew Total 2000; Flight Crew Type 1000
Troubleshooting; Workload; Situational Awareness; Time Pressure
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
We were enroute today. Flight was pretty normal until about 100 miles outside our destination. Suddenly; we had a 300-400 ft-lbs loss in torque. We couldn't get it back; even with full power.  After taking with ATC this we noticed we were losing power at a rate of about 100 ft pounds a minute. Torque and Inlet Turbine Temperature (ITT) were gradually rolling back. We diverted immediately. At landing; we had only about 1000 pounds of torque at full power. One pilot flew it; the other worked the problem and coordinate the emergency. Time from start of power loss to landing was less than 3 minutes.  We believe we did all possible to act in the interest of our passenger safety. We successfully landed safely.
A C-208 engine torque suddenly decreased 300 - 400 pounds; then gradually decreased further as Inlet Turbine Temperature (ITT) increased. The flight diverted to a nearby airport and landed with 1;000 pound of torque at full power.