Workload; Training / Qualification; Time Pressure; Situational Awareness; Distraction
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Maintenance Action; General Release Refused / Aircraft Not Accepted; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft
Took off and assigned 180 heading immediately after switching to departure. Noticed the steady rumble at the controls also immediately after clean up. Commented to the Captain that something was wrong when we got a Master Caution and Generator OFF Light on left engine. Cabin chimed about that time to say passengers thought spoilers were up on left side. I took the radios and continued to fly and informed ATC that we were declaring an emergency and requested level off at next altitude coming up which was 11;000. I started the APU and asked for vectors back around to land at the departure airport. The descent and configuring for landing were still controllable though the rumble continued. The engine; other than the generator; operated normally. The landing was normal at flaps 30 with auto brakes 2. Weather was CAVU and wind 260/4. The cowling departed the aircraft on landing; and I assume when I went into reverse. It was retrieved on the runway. No leaks or other damage was noted by fire trucks so we taxied back to the gate. Lost cowling to left engine which also cut generator for that engine.
After takeoff and during climb out there was a distinct vibration though the aircraft. Left generator fell off line. Flight attendants called stating that there was a metal object standing up at the left engine. Upon executing the QRH procedures for the Generator OFF Light I was able to get the generator to come back on line. We declared an emergency and landed back at the departure airport. Post inspection found out that the left engine outboard cowling was ripped off the engine. Airport personnel found the cowling on the departure runway which we had landed on. Aircraft was taken out of service.
After takeoff B737-800 passengers reported a spoiler up and the Generator OFF light alerted so an emergency was declared and the flight returned to the departure airport where a left engine access panel was discovered missing.