Narrative:

During cruise flight the captain's primary flight display (pfd) and attitude indicator tumbled. The autopilot and autothrottles 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 officers 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 attitude and heading fail; 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 section IRS fault. This 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. [Requested priority handling] with ATC. [Coordinated] 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 discrepancy. Such failures happen from time to time and are not completely preventable.

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: MD-88 Captain's primary flight display/attitude indicator; navigation display & RMI failed in cruise flight. Controls passed to First Officer. Crew complied with Quick Reference Handbook procedures followed by a safe landing at a diversion airport.

Narrative: During cruise flight the Captain's Primary Flight Display (PFD) and attitude indicator tumbled. The autopilot and autothrottles 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 Officers 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 attitude and heading fail; 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 section IRS fault. This 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. [Requested priority handling] with ATC. [Coordinated] 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 discrepancy. 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.