B737-800
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 257
Workload; Troubleshooting; Time Pressure; Distraction; Confusion
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
We were assigned a gradual descent from FL350 to an assigned crossing at FL 290. I was Pilot Flying with LNAV and VNAV engaged. Around FL320; I heard a loud click in the cockpit then it got very dark. We lost the top five Display Units; the MCP; both CDUs and the center console Communication and Navigation panels. There was no Master Caution. The only orange lights were the Standby Power Off; and Yaw Damper lights. Both generators showed on line (blue) and we were able to use the intercom normally. The First Officer ran the checklist and I pulled down the HUD for directional support - heading; airspeed and altitude displayed. The standby altimeter and airspeed indicators were functioning normally although difficult to read. I also started the APU. Completion of the Standby Power off Checklist did not change our status. Once ready; the APU was put on line. We recovered the two Display Units in front of the First Officer; his CDU; the MCP and his Communication; and Navigation panels. Captain side remained blank. The First Officer called on Guard using number 2 Communication; reestablish contact with Center and notified them of our predicament. Control of the aircraft was transferred to the First Officer; who was able to reengage the autopilot and use automation normally. A visual check of the circuit breakers was unable to see anything popped. There were no other indications of any other malfunction in the cockpit. Previously entered waypoints were already in the CDU when it returned; but were not used until intercepting final.We were given headings and altitudes for our approach. A Public Address was attempted and successful in giving the Passengers the final seatbelt reminder until landing with no other information. The remainder of the approach and landing through parking were uneventful besides not having a yaw damper. After shut down; I called Maintenance Control through Dispatch. During this discussion; they had me look for the Standby BUS SECT 1 and 2 circuit breakers we eventually found popped. Maintenance had us reset the two circuit breakers and all systems seemed to come back on line. The aircraft was written up and Contract Maintenance was notified by Airport Operations to come to the aircraft.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
A B737 flight crew reported the loss of multiple communication and navigation control panels and displays. They restored some of the First Officer's components after restarting the APU; thus they were able to continue to destination.