Investigation number
199300514
Occurrence date
State
Victoria
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Occurrence class
Incident

When the pilot attempted to reduce propeller RPM from 2000 to 1900 the right propeller wound down to between 1100 and 1200 and the right torque exceeded maximum limits. The pilot shut down the engine and feathered the propeller when he was unable to regain control. A successful single engine landing was carried out. The right engine beta light wiring was found to be routed close to the engine exhaust stack. Radiant heat from the exhaust stack had melted the insulation and had allowed the wires to contact and create an electrical short circuit. This had activated the propeller lock valve which effectively caused the propeller to operate at fixed pitch. It could not be determined whether the burned wiring installation was installed in accordance with the manufacturers original design. A modification has now been incorporated to introduce fire sleeved wiring and a heat deflector baffle.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Piper Aircraft Corp
Model
PA-31T
Registration
VH-DXI
Sector
Turboprop
Departure point
Point Cook VIC
Destination
Essendon VIC
Damage
Nil