A C421 propeller RPM dropped to about 450 after takeoff so the pilot attempted unsuccessfully to fea...

Attributes
ACN	1068044
Time
Date	201302
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Golden Eagle 421
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Landing
Route In Use	Vectors Visual Approach
Flight Plan	VFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Propeller
Person 1
Function	Captain Single Pilot
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Flight Instructor Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Multiengine
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50 Flight Crew Total 5500 Flight Crew Type 2100
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical

Narrative:

Shortly after takeoff; the aircraft propeller RPM fell to about 450 RPM. An attempt was made to try to feather the propeller and there was no control of the propeller. The tower was advised that immediate landing was required. The tower cleared me for landing. While on base to final; the tower cleared another aircraft for takeoff. The aircraft delayed the takeoff roll and the tower kept commanding the aircraft to vacate the runway or takeoff immediately. The tower then instructed me to go around. I advised the tower that going around was not an option as I could not safely execute a go around (I was fully configured for landing and had a propeller that was creating drag). The aircraft on the runway finally took off and I landed while that aircraft was on the upwind. The tower advised the aircraft on the upwind that he may have committed a pilot deviation.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A C421 propeller RPM dropped to about 450 after takeoff so the pilot attempted unsuccessfully to feather it and when unable made an emergency return to the airport.

Narrative: Shortly after takeoff; the aircraft propeller RPM fell to about 450 RPM. An attempt was made to try to feather the propeller and there was no control of the propeller. The Tower was advised that immediate landing was required. The Tower cleared me for landing. While on base to final; the Tower cleared another aircraft for takeoff. The aircraft delayed the takeoff roll and the Tower kept commanding the aircraft to vacate the runway or takeoff immediately. The Tower then instructed me to go around. I advised the Tower that going around was not an option as I could not safely execute a go around (I was fully configured for landing and had a propeller that was creating drag). The aircraft on the runway finally took off and I landed while that aircraft was on the upwind. The Tower advised the aircraft on the upwind that he may have committed a pilot deviation.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.