A B737-700 #2 generator control unit (gcu) and generator malfunctioned in flight illuminating the #2...

Narrative:

While in cruise at FL410; the #2 transfer bus off light began to flicker and then the 'B' autopilot kicked off and the #2 drive light illuminated. We coordinated with ATC for a lower altitude while running the drive light QRH procedures. While running the QRH; we noticed an acrid smell in the cockpit followed by notification from the flight attendants of the same smell throughout the cabin. We then accomplished the QRH items for fumes in the cockpit and began to coordinate with ATC for an even lower altitude and request for diversion to a nearby airport. We also declared an emergency at this point and notified dispatch and the flight attendants as well as getting the divert airport weather and getting performance calculations and getting out the appropriate approach plates and keeping the passengers informed as well as running the descent and before landing checklists. We coordinated for emergency response vehicles to meet us after clearing the runway to confirm there was no fire and that it would be safe to taxi to the gate. They cleared us to the gate and then the captain contacted dispatch/maintenance control/and chief pilot on call after debriefing the emergency response crew. A logbook entry was made.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A B737-700 #2 Generator Control Unit (GCU) and Generator malfunctioned in flight illuminating the #2 Transfer Bus Off and Generator Drive Lights as well as creating electrical fumes in the aircraft so an emergency was declared and the flight diverted safely to a nearby airport.

Narrative: While in cruise at FL410; the #2 Transfer Bus Off light began to flicker and then the 'B' autopilot kicked OFF and the #2 Drive Light illuminated. We coordinated with ATC for a lower altitude while running the Drive Light QRH procedures. While running the QRH; we noticed an acrid smell in the cockpit followed by notification from the flight attendants of the same smell throughout the cabin. We then accomplished the QRH items for fumes in the cockpit and began to coordinate with ATC for an even lower altitude and request for diversion to a nearby airport. We also declared an emergency at this point and notified Dispatch and the flight attendants as well as getting the divert airport weather and getting performance calculations and getting out the appropriate approach plates and keeping the passengers informed as well as running the Descent and Before Landing Checklists. We coordinated for emergency response vehicles to meet us after clearing the runway to confirm there was no fire and that it would be safe to taxi to the gate. They cleared us to the gate and then the Captain contacted Dispatch/Maintenance Control/and Chief Pilot on Call after debriefing the emergency response crew. A logbook entry was made.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	1055283
Time
Date	201212
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.ARTCC
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B737-700
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Cruise
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Circuit Breaker / Fuse / Thermocouple
Person 1
Function	First Officer
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 155
Person 2
Function	Captain
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor

A B737-700 #2 generator control unit (gcu) and generator malfunctioned in flight illuminating the #2 transfer bus off and generator drive lights as well as creating electrical fumes in the aircraft so an emergency was declared and the flight diverted safely to a nearby airport.