MD-83
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Confusion; Distraction; Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Declared Emergency; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
Accelerating and climbing through about 15;000 FT I felt and heard a deep vibration in the aircraft. I asked my First Officer if he noticed anything. He said he did. I looked over all the engine gauges and they all looked normal. I felt the flight controls and they seemed normal except for the vibration. I didn't have any uncommanded movements. As we were looking for signs of the source of the vibration; the Lead Flight Attendant called up and asked if we noticed a vibration. With that many people confirming an abnormal situation and not knowing what it was; I thought it was prudent to return to the field to have it inspected. We informed ATC that we wanted to return and also called the departure Operations to let them know. As we were in our turn we lost the right generator. Assuming it was related; but not sure; we declared an emergency so as to get an expedited return back to the runway. We landed uneventfully. Upon discussion with Maintenance afterward; they believed that bearings inside the generator went bad and that is what was causing the vibration we felt.
During climb a MD-83 flight crew and flight attendant noticed an airframe vibration and decided on a precautionary return to land but the right generator failed so an emergency was declared followed by a normal landing. Maintenance discovered failed generator bearings.