Date: 201303
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Location: ZZZ.TRACON, US
Flight conditions: IMC
Weather elements / visibility: Thunderstorm; Turbulence
Light: Dusk
Aircraft: Dash 8-300
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Initial Approach
ATC / advisory: TRACON ZZZ
Aircraft component: DC Generator
Component problem: Failed
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: First Officer; Pilot Not Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Second reporter function: Pilot Flying; Captain
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Detector: Automation Aircraft Other Automation; Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Weather
Primary problem: Weather

Narrative: About 18 miles from the airport while getting vectors to join the ILS course we got hit by lightning. After having positive control of the airplane and determining that all the flight instruments were working fine; since we were in solid IFR; we proceeded to check for what had failed and to check the electrical system. Due to the lightning strike we lost both DC Generators. We did the Emergency Checklist for the loss of both DC generators. We requested special handling from ATC and landed without any other inconvenience. The AC system and the TRU's carried the entire electrical load without any issues. Big boom followed by a master caution light indicating loss of both DC generators.


Second narrative: On approach while being vectored on to the ILS approach; we were coming through rain showers and areas of weather that were building rapidly; we were hit by lightning. I saw the lightning and immediately after we lost both DC generators. I asked ATC for priority to the airport; we proceeded to review the Dual DC generator checklist; made a normal ILS approach and landed safely and then contacted Maintenance. Saw ball of lightning hit nose of plane and heard it.I understand that we are an airline and weather is part of the deal; but the company's Dispatch department; should be used as a tool to aid airplanes and keep them out of the severe weather and not as a flight completion department. It seems to me that there is too much pushing from the company and Dispatch to have planes fly in bad weather and not take the captain's views or authority for maintaining the safety of flight. Seriously; I think if there were more dispatchers per shift; there would be more focus on airplanes with a smaller dispatcher to plane ratio. I can not see the point or the view of safety as the common phrase 'well at least lets take a look at it' that comes out of the Dispatch department. I know it's not the dispatcher per say doing this all the time; as much as it is the Dispatch supervisor's roll in taking a look at the overall big picture for the safety of all the company's airplanes. The start of this trip the weather was fine and on this particular leg it was ok but deteriorating. It is ultimately my decision to fly the airplane and I don't feel that I or any other pilot should feel pressured into taking an airplane into possible bad situations.


Synopsis: DHC8-300 flight crew reports being struck by lightning during approach; causing the loss of both DC generators. Flight continues to a normal landing with TRU's supplying DC power.