In the event of an engine failure with the PCL out of the cutoff position, what happens to the propeller?

When an engine failure occurs with the Power Control Lever (PCL) out of the cutoff position, the propeller will slowly begin to move toward the feather position but may not fully feather. This behavior is due to the mechanics of the propeller control system and the presence of oil pressure, which is responsible for controlling the blade angle.

In normal operation, the propeller blades are positioned at an angle that allows for efficient thrust production. However, in the event of an engine failure, the system attempts to minimize drag and prevent windmilling. The feathers position for the propeller is designed to reduce drag by aligning the blade edges with the airflow. As the engine's oil pressure drops following an engine failure, the propeller may not be able to fully achieve the feathered position if adequate pressure is not maintained.

This gradual movement towards feathering not only helps to decrease drag on the aircraft, enhancing glide performance, but is also indicative of the system's design, which carefully manages propeller blade angles during critical failure scenarios.