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PA-31 pilot reported returning to departure airport after experiencing right engine surging. Propeller malfunction was reported as the probable cause.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1402058 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201611 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1201-1800 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | PA-31 Navajo/Chieftan/Mojave/T1040 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Climb |
| Route In Use | Vectors |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Propeller |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Pilot Flying Captain |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Flight Instructor Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Multiengine |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 60 Flight Crew Total 3020 Flight Crew Type 325 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe |
Narrative:
After a normal start; taxi; and runup; we taxied onto [the] runway for departure. Takeoff power was set; engine gauges were checked and normal; and brakes were released. Almost immediately the airplane pulled to the right. We aborted takeoff and taxied off. There were no audible indications of engine trouble. We performed a full power runup for a considerable amount of time (1-2 minutes) with normal indications. There were no audible; visual; or other indications of engine trouble. We figured the pull to the right must have been due to either accidentally touching the brakes or from not having the nosewheel straight. We elected to attempt takeoff again. On the runway; power was set; engine gauges were checked; brakes were released; and the aircraft tracked straight down the runway with no indications of trouble. Aircraft was rotated and gear were retracted.seconds after gear retraction the right engine began to surge considerably. We climbed straight ahead to pattern altitude; then returned to make an uneventful landing. We believe this event occurred due to a mechanical malfunction of the right propeller; though maintenance is currently investigating. Given the checks performed; normal engine indications; lack of abnormal sounds or other unusual indications; and safe outcome of the event; I do not believe there is anything more the flight crew could have done. Once maintenance identifies the cause of the power surging; the issue will be repaired and the aircraft will (hopefully) be returned to service.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: PA-31 pilot reported returning to departure airport after experiencing right engine surging. Propeller malfunction was reported as the probable cause.
Narrative: After a normal start; taxi; and runup; we taxied onto [the] runway for departure. Takeoff power was set; engine gauges were checked and normal; and brakes were released. Almost immediately the airplane pulled to the right. We aborted takeoff and taxied off. There were no audible indications of engine trouble. We performed a full power runup for a considerable amount of time (1-2 minutes) with normal indications. There were no audible; visual; or other indications of engine trouble. We figured the pull to the right must have been due to either accidentally touching the brakes or from not having the nosewheel straight. We elected to attempt takeoff again. On the runway; power was set; engine gauges were checked; brakes were released; and the aircraft tracked straight down the runway with no indications of trouble. Aircraft was rotated and gear were retracted.Seconds after gear retraction the right engine began to surge considerably. We climbed straight ahead to pattern altitude; then returned to make an uneventful landing. We believe this event occurred due to a mechanical malfunction of the right propeller; though maintenance is currently investigating. Given the checks performed; normal engine indications; lack of abnormal sounds or other unusual indications; and safe outcome of the event; I do not believe there is anything more the flight crew could have done. Once maintenance identifies the cause of the power surging; the issue will be repaired and the aircraft will (hopefully) be returned to service.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.