Date: 201301
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Light: Night
Aircraft: MD-11
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight phase: Climb; Initial Climb
Airspace: Class B ZZZ
ATC / advisory: TRACON ZZZ
Aircraft component: Electrical Power
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain; Pilot Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Workload; Confusion; Troubleshooting
Second reporter function: First Officer; Pilot Not Flying
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Declared Emergency
Contributing factors: Aircraft
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: After takeoff; while climbing out of 3;000 feet the Captain lost his navigational display; as well as airspeed and altitude tapes. The First Officer's instruments were indicating normal at this time. I transferred aircraft control to him and began to work the problem. Initially it appeared to be an FMC [Flight Management Computer] failure or DEU1 [Display Electronics Unit] failure but the problem soon escalated into more problems. The stick shaker began to go off intermittently even though the airspeed was indicating 250 on both the First Officer's instruments and the standby airspeed indicator. Next the interior lighting began to fail. I then noticed that the standby power was on. This was confusing because the First Officer still had his instruments and the problem was on the Captain's side. After pulling up the electrical page schematic; it appeared that the generators were producing power but [were] unable to connect to the busses. At this point I elected to assume a loss of all generators and deployed the ADG [Air Driven Generator]. I then declared an emergency and requested a return to the airport. I assumed control of the aircraft on final and flew a visual approach to a normal landing.


Second narrative: On departure; climbing through 3;000 feet the Captain lost airspeed and altitude tapes. The controls where transferred to the First Officer; and the Captain started looking for Air Data Computer problems in the QRH [Quick Reference Handbook]. The problem then manifested into the loss of Number 2 DU [Display Unit]; then multiple level 1 alerts. We continued to climb and try to work the problem; eventually getting to 16;000 feet; but new alerts continued along with continuous intermittent stick shaker; loss of all interior lights including back lighting; and the emergency power connected. We decided that the loss of electrical was a more likely cause; and started looking for a resolution in the QRH there. After vectors for time; we decided on an emergency return. The Captain continued talking to ATC and working the QRH; while the First Officer flew down to a configured approach. The controls where transferred again; and the Captain landed.


Synopsis: During climb; the Captain lost his airspeed and altitude indications so he transferred control to the First Officer. As he was attempting to work the associated checklist; the electrical problems continued; they declared an emergency and returned to the field.