A dhc-8-200 right engine auto-feathered after takeoff. The below acceleration height checklist was c...

Narrative:

After receiving type 1 fluid at the deice pad; we taxied to runway 4L for departure. Upon reaching 500 feet and starting my turn to 060 heading on SID; we had an unscheduled feather. I immediately realized there was an engine abnormality by the noise change of the engine; and the rudder inputs. We performed the memory action items for a #2 engine failure below acceleration height; flew the engine failure departure procedure. While I flew the aircraft; the first officer ran our engine failure checklist; and we requested vectors back around for the ILS to 4L. We informed the flight attendant of our issue and of our intentions; I spoke with the passengers; and we had operations contact dispatch. We landed the aircraft without further incident; and taxied back to our assigned gate. Without fully knowing why the event happened; I cannot make any suggestions at this time.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A DHC-8-200 right engine auto-feathered after takeoff. The Below Acceleration Height Checklist was completed and the flight returned to the departure airport.

Narrative: After receiving Type 1 fluid at the deice pad; we taxied to runway 4L for departure. Upon reaching 500 feet and starting my turn to 060 heading on SID; we had an unscheduled feather. I immediately realized there was an engine abnormality by the noise change of the engine; and the rudder inputs. We performed the memory action items for a #2 engine failure below acceleration height; flew the engine failure departure procedure. While I flew the aircraft; the First Officer ran our Engine Failure checklist; and we requested vectors back around for the ILS to 4L. We informed the Flight Attendant of our issue and of our intentions; I spoke with the passengers; and we had Operations contact Dispatch. We landed the aircraft without further incident; and taxied back to our assigned gate. Without fully knowing why the event happened; I cannot make any suggestions at this time.

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.

Attributes
ACN	1243492
Time
Date	201503
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Dash 8-200
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Takeoff
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Turbine Engine
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying Captain
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Person 2
Function	Pilot Not Flying First Officer
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical

A dhc-8-200 right engine auto-feathered after takeoff. The below acceleration height checklist was completed and the flight returned to the departure airport.