MD80 flight crew experiences a failure of the captain's pfd and heading failure. The crew elects to ...

Narrative:

During cruise flight the captains primary flight display (pfd)/ attitude indicator (ai) tumbled. The autopilot and auto throttles disconnected. The navigation display (nd) indicated a map fail message. The heading on the RMI changed approximately 90 degrees in wings level flight. All navigational instruments were lost. The first officer's pfd attitude was still correct; therefore controls were handed over to myself; the first officer. The captain began running through the QRH procedures. The QRH directed us to the attitude and heading fail page; which we accomplished. However; this did not result in restoring a heading. We were navigating by the whiskey compass. We then proceeded to another QRH page which allowed us to input our compass heading. Afterward; the autopilot was useful for holding basic level flight. At this time; our only navigation information was VOR directions from the RMI. We called maintenance. Our discussion with them was fruitless. Therefore; we coordinated a diversion with dispatch. Completed procedures with the flight attendants; notified the passengers; and completed appropriate checklists for the diversion. We landed safely. In this case; it appears there was a mechanical failure. Such failures happen from time to time and are not completely preventable.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: MD80 flight crew experiences a failure of the Captain's PFD and heading failure. The crew elects to divert to a suitable airport.

Narrative: During cruise flight the Captains Primary Flight Display (PFD)/ Attitude Indicator (AI) tumbled. The autopilot and auto throttles disconnected. The Navigation Display (ND) indicated a map fail message. The heading on the RMI changed approximately 90 degrees in wings level flight. All navigational instruments were lost. The First Officer's PFD attitude was still correct; therefore controls were handed over to myself; the First Officer. The Captain began running through the QRH procedures. The QRH directed us to the Attitude and Heading fail page; which we accomplished. However; this did not result in restoring a heading. We were navigating by the whiskey compass. We then proceeded to another QRH page which allowed us to input our compass heading. Afterward; the autopilot was useful for holding basic level flight. At this time; our only navigation information was VOR directions from the RMI. We called maintenance. Our discussion with them was fruitless. Therefore; we coordinated a diversion with Dispatch. Completed procedures with the flight attendants; notified the passengers; and completed appropriate checklists for the diversion. We landed safely. In this case; it appears there was a mechanical failure. Such failures happen from time to time and are not completely preventable.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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	1288260
Time
Date	201508
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	MD-80 Series (DC-9-80) Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Cruise
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	PFD
Person 1
Function	First Officer Pilot Not Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Person 2
Function	Pilot Flying Captain
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe

MD80 flight crew experiences a failure of the captain's pfd and heading failure. The crew elects to divert to a suitable airport.