B757-200
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Workload; Troubleshooting; Confusion; Distraction
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach
Aircraft
20 miles from ZZZ descending to 6000 ft we experienced a left generator failure with associated left bus; left and right utility bus; and a failure of the left bus tie. This was new hire IOE and the new FO did an outstanding job of flying the aircraft while I worked 17 EICAS messages and 7 status messages. We were single FMC ops with one EICAS display inop along with very little working in the aircraft. We asked for extended vectors to sort out the problem and ATC did a nice job keeping us clear and leaving us alone to work the problem. On final to 23L we did not have any flap indications (which I was sure was related) but I elected to take the conservative approach and go around because I wanted to 'feel' the flaps extending on the next attempt. In the end; I took the aircraft on final and we landed without any issues. Crash/rescue met us on the runway after stopping to give the aircraft a quick look over before we taxied to the gate. This was a compound electrical failure. The left bus tie didn't allow the right side (or APU) to repower the left side. I can only assume at this point the aircraft sensed a short on that side and the left bus tie did it's job and at least kept the right side powered.
A Boeing 757 Captain reported experiencing multiple electrical failures while descending for an approach. The crew accomplished all applicable abnormal checklists and safely landed at the destination airport.