Date: 201412
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: Mixed
Weather elements / visibility: 10
Light: Night
Aircraft: Lancair Undifferentiated
Operator: Personal
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Personal
Flight phase: Initial Climb
Airspace: Class B ZZZ
ATC / advisory: TRACON ZZZ
Aircraft component: AHRS/ND
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Personal
Reporter function: Pilot Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Human factors: Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Detector: Automation Aircraft Other Automation; Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution
Contributing factors: Aircraft; Human Factors
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: The aircraft was flown by the pilot (PF) in the left seat. Another pilot (PM) occupied the right seat. The pre-flight brief included the fact that the PM would be responsible for the radio communications. During initial climb the aircraft entered IMC. ATC issued a heading change during the climb. The PF initiated the turn; but noted that there was no bank indication on the attitude indicator. The PF cross referenced the altitude and heading indicator and noted that the rate of climb had slowed; so increased the pitch. There was no indication on the attitude indicator of the pitch change. ATC queried the aircraft about its heading and soon afterwards the aircraft exited the clouds in a nose low; banked attitude. The aircraft was recovered to straight and level flight at approximately 2;300 FT MSL and remained in visual conditions.A return to the airport of departure was requested as the aircraft turned towards ZZZ and continued a descent. During the recovery the 'AHRS Align' annunciated on the EFIS and the PF noted that heading and attitude were incorrect for the aircraft's position and attitude. Approach control cancelled our instrument clearance and issued a frequency change to ZZZ tower. However; due to the ragged cloud bases; remaining VMC required maneuvering contrary to ATC instructions towards ZZZ. Tower instructed the aircraft to return to Approach controls frequency and fly a heading of 270 and climb to 2;000 FT. This ATC instruction would have resulted in the aircraft entering the clouds; so the PF told the PM to respond in the negative to this clearance and provide ATC with the information that the aircraft's gyro system had failed and the intention was to remain VMC. The PF had ZZZ in sight and the tower asked if we wanted to land. The PM accepted the landing clearance and the aircraft landed without incident. The PM should have communicated the equipment malfunction to TRACON as it caused the departure from ATC's instructions. The PF maneuvered without a clearance to remain VMC; however; this impacted Class B airspace to the north of ZZZ.




Synopsis: Lancair pilot experiences the loss of AHRS attitude information during an IFR departure; which is not immediately detected. This results in a turn and descent below the ceiling contrary to ATC instructions. Once in VMC the attitude is corrected and the flight returns to the departure airport. During the recovery the 'AHRS Align' annunciated on the EFIS.