Bonanza 36
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 18; Flight Crew Total 203; Flight Crew Type 106
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Separated Traffic; Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Human Factors; Aircraft; Weather
Enroute under VFR and climbing to 3;500 ft we experienced AHRS (Attitude and Heading Reference System) failure in the G1000; lost autopilot also. Troubleshooting breakers failed to resolve the problem (as attempted by my instructor). Decided to return to [departure airport] after a short 15 min flight. ATC gave me instructions 3500 ft to the south (weather was bad south); so I requested west instead and granted 3500 ft (no vectors) to the west; and to remain VFR. As I was approaching north side of [the airport] weather worsened; requested descent to 2500 ft and granted; asked by ATC to remain VFR (I have lost my AHRS). Ceiling rapidly worsened and inadvertently (in order to remain VFR as instructed; and with fear of getting into the clouds; with no instruments); I descended to 1800 ft without authorization. I was immediately requested by ATC to climb back to 2500 ft; as a Learjet was going missed approach. Weather changed rather fast; turbulence was moderate; there was a windshear alert; my instruments had failed; and in the sake of safety; I was concerned about forcing myself into the clouds at relative low altitude. I should have made a 180 instead; but by then I had the airport in sight; and the weather was clear 1-2 miles to the west.
Beech 36 pilot reported returning to the departure airport after experiencing a loss of AHRS and autopilot.