If the attitude indicator fails in flight, what procedure should you follow?

• A. Continue on instruments only using feel; ignore failures.
• B. Cross-check the remaining instruments (heading indicator, turn coordinator, altimeter, ASI) to maintain control; fly by the other references and plan to return to a known position.
• C. Immediately descend to a safe altitude and declare emergency.
• D. Trapped on autopilot; switch to alternate power.

Answer: (B)

When the attitude indicator fails, you must keep the airplane under control using the other instruments and plan to return to a known position. The attitude indicator is your primary horizon reference, so losing it means you can’t trust a single source for attitude. By cross-checking the remaining instruments—the heading indicator to keep your direction, the turn coordinator to monitor rate of turn and help you stay coordinated, and the altimeter and airspeed indicator to manage altitude and pitch indirectly—you maintain control and stabilize the flight. Use these references to fly the airplane in a predictable manner and head toward a known position where you can reacquire the attitude reference. This approach avoids relying on feel alone and provides a clear path to regain situational awareness.