Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Training / Qualification; Troubleshooting; Distraction; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
Cruise flight; FL320; left Generator failure. Performed and complied with QRH GEN OFF checklist procedures. [We were] unable to reset generator; unable to start APU at FL300; FL280 and FL260. [We] contacted Dispatch and Maintenance Control via ARINC. Evaluated destination and en route weather conditions and returned to the departure airport. Prior to landing performed and complied with Landing Single Generator checklist.
A MD83's left generator failed in flight so the crew returned to the departure airport after evaluating enroute and destination weather because they were unable to start the APU.