What happens to the propeller during an engine failure with the power control lever out of the cutoff position?

When an engine failure occurs and the power control lever is not in the cutoff position, the correct outcome is that the propeller slowly begins to move toward the feather position. This is due to the fact that, in an engine failure scenario, the propeller is designed to reduce drag in order to maintain control and performance of the aircraft. The gradual movement towards feathering allows the aircraft to minimize the negative effects of the inoperative engine on the aircraft's performance and assists in maintaining directional control.

Feathering refers to adjusting the propeller blades to an angle where they slice through the air with minimal resistance, significantly reducing drag. Since the power control lever is still out of the cutoff position, the propeller does not immediately feather nor does it remain stationary. Instead, the system is designed to allow a controlled deceleration toward the feather position, providing the pilot with more time to manage the situation effectively.