Airliner 99
Flight Crew Commercial
Human-Machine Interface; Workload; Troubleshooting; Distraction; Confusion
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence; Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Weather
While moving a plane on the first leg; ; after entering a downdraft and pitching up (it seemed like I would have lost approximately 200 to 300 feet without any control input; the attitude indicator wobbled then started rolling. Since it was IMC with turbulence; it took me a minute to fully get it under control using the copilot instrument. In that time my altitude was +/- 200 EEFT; and heading +/- 30 degrees; never more than half a dot or a dot off of course. When I was able to get the aircraft under control; I advised ATC that I had an attitude indicator failure and requested a higher altitude of 15;000 feet where I knew it was VMC conditions. When I initiated the climb; the Captain side attitude indicator stabilized; and showed the correct attitude. When I got to my requested altitude and made sure the aircraft was stable and going to stay in visual conditions; I watched the Captain side attitude indicator much more closely; and noted that it would start indicating a climb after approximately 5 to 10 minutes if I didn't pull the 'quick set' knob. Then advised ATC that it was under control and I didn't need any further assistance. After watching the attitude indicator and setting a timer to remember to pull it every 4 to 5 minutes; and verifying with the co-pilot side instruments; I decided that it was safe to continue to the destination where I could talk to Maintenance. As long as the weather didn't deteriorate; if it did then I would have advised ATC and found a better altitude or somewhere closer to land if necessary. At one point I did descend to a lower altitude in a sky clear area to get below the upcoming cloud layer; and not have to use as much oxygen. I had more than enough but it can make my nose dry and be an extra distraction. The rest of the flight continued with no issues; and I was able to get a new attitude indicator at my destination. We tested the new one  and continued  with no issues from any instruments.   I didn't see the altitude go more than +/- 200 feet; but I'm selecting 'altitude deviation' because it's possible that I missed it altitude while trying to stabilize the aircraft's heading/roll.
A pilot reported after temporarily losing control of the aircraft entering a downdraft the Captain side attitude indicator began malfunctioning.