Narrative:

Just after takeoff climbing thru 2200ft to our assigned altitude of 4000ft the left D.C gen light illuminated followed by ca side EFIS screens went black; ca side airspeed indicator; altimeter; vsi had red flags; a rudder limit indication; avionic vent light illuminated; and then loss of ca comm. 1. Captain could communicate with flight attendant and first officer but could not hear ATC or when first officer transmitted replying to ATC. I had the first officer advise ATC we had a problem and requested delaying vectors with the great possibility that we might need to return. Then I started working on the non-normal checklist for the l-gen. Since it was VMC and the aircraft was under control and the first officer's flight instruments were working with the possible exception of the first officer's ehsi ; I did not declare an emergency. While all this was unwinding we inadvertently climbed through our assigned altitude of 4000ft and were at 5000ft. ATC stated they lost our transponder and asked us our altitude. We realized the error and immediately corrected the altitude error and advise ATC of the error. Was able to get comm 1 back working after the 2nd attempt resetting the l-gen though the gen would not come back on line. Unable to reset the bus tie ; advised ATC we needed to return to land due to our electrical problems. Landed without any further incident. I believe the altitude deviation occurred as the PF rolled into a turn to a given heading though his ehsi did not indicate an immediate heading change. As the PF verified the heading change with the standby compass; he inadvertently climbed. The pm/PNF being heads down completing the non-normal checklist without the aircraft level at the assigned altitude.

Related reports:

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: SF340 Captain reports loss of left D.C. generator shortly after takeoff along with most of his flight instruments and communications. With First Officer flying flight climbs through assigned altitude of 4000 to 5000 feet. After unsuccessful troubleshooting; flight returns to departure airport.

Narrative: Just after takeoff climbing thru 2200ft to our assigned altitude of 4000ft the left D.C Gen light illuminated followed by CA side EFIS screens went black; CA side airspeed indicator; altimeter; VSI had red flags; a rudder limit indication; avionic vent light illuminated; and then loss of CA comm. 1. Captain could communicate with FA and FO but could not hear ATC or when FO transmitted replying to ATC. I had the FO advise ATC we had a problem and requested delaying vectors with the great possibility that we might need to return. Then I started working on the non-normal checklist for the L-Gen. Since it was VMC and the aircraft was under control and the FO's flight instruments were working with the possible exception of the FO's EHSI ; I did not declare an emergency. While all this was unwinding we inadvertently climbed through our assigned altitude of 4000ft and were at 5000ft. ATC stated they lost our transponder and asked us our altitude. We realized the error and immediately corrected the altitude error and advise ATC of the error. Was able to get Comm 1 back working after the 2nd attempt resetting the L-Gen though the Gen would not come back on line. Unable to reset the bus tie ; advised ATC we needed to return to land due to our electrical problems. Landed without any further incident. I believe the altitude deviation occurred as the PF rolled into a turn to a given heading though his EHSI did not indicate an immediate heading change. As the PF verified the heading change with the standby compass; he inadvertently climbed. The PM/PNF being heads down completing the non-normal checklist without the aircraft level at the assigned altitude.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.