Narrative:

We taxied to the runway. Because of the deteriorating weather conditions in ZZZ; there was a longer than usual line for the runway. I knew we were going to be close to our min/takeoff fuel so I queried ATC to find out what number for takeoff we were. We were told we were number eleven for the runway; so in order to save fuel we began alternately feathering the props to conserve fuel. After approximately 38 minutes of sitting on the ground we were cleared for departure. We departed without incident and began to fly the [departure procedure] as briefed. After being given radar vectors and an initial climb (believe it was 10;000 feet) the first officer got my attention and pointed out the #2 power lever was not responding to power increases on climb. After doing a little troubleshooting; we began to realize that the #2 engine was not reacting to the change in power levers. The #2 power lever was being manipulated but there was no change in torque. At times during the event the #2 power lever was unresponsive in changing the torque of the engine indicator. We could also not hear the change in torque on the prop itself.at that point we both decide that it was best to return to the field as a precautionary measure because it was not safe to continue a flight that was 45 minutes long and without a takeoff alternate. The first officer and I discussed a possibility of shutting down the engine but because it was still producing power and we could maintain control of the engine we decided to not shut down the engine. Hydraulic pressure and oil pressure were indicated normal. We advised ATC of our issue but did not [request emergency handling]. They gave us vectors for return to ZZZ and then were advised that approach was [giving us emergency handling]. Company was advised via the phone by another pilot who was able to reach company that we were returning to the field. The landing was successful without incident and arrived at the gate and deplaned without any emergency assistance from the airport. The plane was safe and people deplaned without any injuries. We continued the flight after a swap to another aircraft.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Dash 8-200 Captain reported returning to departure airport after noting that the Number 2 engine was not responding to thrust lever changes.

Narrative: We taxied to the runway. Because of the deteriorating weather conditions in ZZZ; there was a longer than usual line for the runway. I knew we were going to be close to our MIN/Takeoff fuel so I queried ATC to find out what number for takeoff we were. We were told we were number eleven for the runway; so in order to save fuel we began alternately feathering the props to conserve fuel. After approximately 38 minutes of sitting on the ground we were cleared for departure. We departed without incident and began to fly the [departure procedure] as briefed. After being given radar vectors and an initial climb (believe it was 10;000 feet) the First Officer got my attention and pointed out the #2 power lever was not responding to power increases on climb. After doing a little troubleshooting; we began to realize that the #2 engine was not reacting to the change in power levers. The #2 power lever was being manipulated but there was no change in torque. At times during the event the #2 power lever was unresponsive in changing the torque of the engine indicator. We could also not hear the change in torque on the prop itself.At that point we both decide that it was best to return to the field as a precautionary measure because it was not safe to continue a flight that was 45 minutes long and without a takeoff alternate. The First Officer and I discussed a possibility of shutting down the engine but because it was still producing power and we could maintain control of the engine we decided to not shut down the engine. Hydraulic pressure and oil pressure were indicated normal. We advised ATC of our issue but did not [request emergency handling]. They gave us vectors for return to ZZZ and then were advised that approach was [giving us emergency handling]. Company was advised via the phone by another pilot who was able to reach company that we were returning to the field. The landing was successful without incident and arrived at the gate and deplaned without any emergency assistance from the airport. The plane was safe and people deplaned without any injuries. We continued the flight after a swap to another aircraft.

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.