Narrative:

During receipt of the aircraft; the captain and I reviewed previous logbook discrepancies of AC bus failure and cabin emergency lights cycling in flight. We discussed what seemed to be a pattern of unresolved electrical troubles. We departed the airport under visual conditions with a clearance to 8;000 ft. After completion of the after-takeoff checklist; the right AC bus caution light and associated lights illuminated. We had just entered a scattered base layer of clouds at 5;800 ft. Outside temperature was +2 degrees C. The captain decided that we would exit the icing conditions and return to our departure field. I informed departure control of our need to return for a normal landing. Departure gave us a vector and a descent for the visual approach. I then contacted our flight attendant and explained the situation and our estimated time of landing. The flight attendant informed me that the emergency lights had again cycled during climb. I made a PA announcement informing our passengers that the were would be returning for a normal landing. Lastly; I called station operations to advise them of our return and plan to unload at the gate. Returning to radio number one; I pulled the non-normal checklist. The captain and I reviewed the list of affected AC services listed in the non-normal checklist. We configured the aircraft and flew a visual approach as previously briefed. After landing; I made another PA emphasizing that we were returning to the gate and would exit the plane normally. Caution panel and failure of associated services.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A DHC8-100 Right AC Bus failed after takeoff so the flight returned to the departure airport.

Narrative: During receipt of the aircraft; the Captain and I reviewed previous logbook discrepancies of AC bus failure and cabin emergency lights cycling in flight. We discussed what seemed to be a pattern of unresolved electrical troubles. We departed the airport under visual conditions with a clearance to 8;000 FT. After completion of the After-Takeoff Checklist; the R AC Bus caution light and associated lights illuminated. We had just entered a scattered base layer of clouds at 5;800 FT. Outside temperature was +2 degrees C. The Captain decided that we would exit the icing conditions and return to our departure field. I informed departure control of our need to return for a normal landing. Departure gave us a vector and a descent for the visual approach. I then contacted our Flight Attendant and explained the situation and our estimated time of landing. The Flight Attendant informed me that the emergency lights had again cycled during climb. I made a PA announcement informing our passengers that the were would be returning for a normal landing. Lastly; I called station operations to advise them of our return and plan to unload at the gate. Returning to radio number one; I pulled the non-normal checklist. The Captain and I reviewed the list of affected AC services listed in the non-normal checklist. We configured the aircraft and flew a visual approach as previously briefed. After landing; I made another PA emphasizing that we were returning to the gate and would exit the plane normally. Caution panel and failure of associated services.

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.