What is this on the starboard engine of the Dash 8? On the inside of the starboard engine of the Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 there is a small aerofoil shaped object* protruding from the casing. There also appears to be pipes protruding from the end of it.

Can anyone identify what this is and explain its function?



** Probably not an aerofoil just looks vaguely like one.
It is the engine drain mast. From the Dash 8 Series 400 airport planning document - Chapter 2, Page 40:



Dash 8 engine drain; image from Dash 8 Series 400 airport planning document

Basically, the drain mast houses the drains that allow for the removal of the fluids (oil and fuel) that come out of the engine, due to seepage, leaks etc. For example, this incident report is a case where it was,


  ... observed ... fuel dripping from RH engine drain mast.