PA46 pilot experiences autopilot disengagement along with loss of backup gyro horizon a FL270 result...

Attributes
ACN	1180131
Time
Date	201406
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	PA-46 Malibu/Malibu Mirage/Malibu Matrix
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Cruise
Route In Use	Direct
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Attitude Indicator(Gyro/Horizon/ADI)
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying Single Pilot
Qualification	Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Private
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 15 Flight Crew Total 3300 Flight Crew Type 160
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude Deviation - Procedural Clearance Deviation - Track / Heading All Types Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control

Narrative:

IMC at FL270. Passenger in copilot seat inadvertently disengaged autopilot; which went unnoticed by me for several seconds. By the time I noticed it; the plane was in a significant spiral. We had done at least 1 or 2 360-degree turns and lost significant altitude (1;000-2;000 feet). Center came on inquiring whether everything was ok. I responded negative and asked to call them back when I had regained control of the plane. My problem and confusion was compounded by a vacuum pump failure of both primary and backup vacuums; causing my backup artificial horizons to tumble. Once back under control; regaining altitude and heading; I asked center for vectors to nearest. I was directed to ZZZ and made an uneventful instrument approach and landing. We were able to obtain overnight and install a new vacuum pump. After multiple checkouts of the autopilot; it was declared airworthy and we proceeded to destination. Enroute my passenger thinks he bumped the trim switches while reaching for the vacuum gyro compass. That would cause the autopilot to disengage. Autopilot disengagement produces an audible beep in the cabin; but it can easily go unnoticed under noise canceling headsets; especially if there is any other conflicting audio distraction through the headsets at the time. I have contacted an avionics shop to have the autopilot audio output routed through the audio panel and headsets; and to add a visual warning light to alert the pilot of a disconnect.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PA46 pilot experiences autopilot disengagement along with loss of backup gyro horizon a FL270 resulting in at least one 360 degree turn and the loss of 1;000-2;000 feet before it is detected and recovery commenced.

Narrative: IMC at FL270. Passenger in copilot seat inadvertently disengaged autopilot; which went unnoticed by me for several seconds. By the time I noticed it; the plane was in a significant spiral. We had done at least 1 or 2 360-degree turns and lost significant altitude (1;000-2;000 feet). Center came on inquiring whether everything was OK. I responded Negative and asked to call them back when I had regained control of the plane. My problem and confusion was compounded by a vacuum pump failure of both primary and backup vacuums; causing my backup Artificial Horizons to tumble. Once back under control; regaining altitude and heading; I asked Center for vectors to nearest. I was directed to ZZZ and made an uneventful instrument approach and landing. We were able to obtain overnight and install a new vacuum pump. After multiple checkouts of the autopilot; it was declared airworthy and we proceeded to destination. Enroute my passenger thinks he bumped the trim switches while reaching for the vacuum gyro compass. That would cause the autopilot to disengage. Autopilot disengagement produces an audible beep in the cabin; but it can easily go unnoticed under noise canceling headsets; especially if there is any other conflicting audio distraction through the headsets at the time. I have contacted an avionics shop to have the autopilot audio output routed through the audio panel and headsets; and to add a visual warning light to alert the pilot of a disconnect.

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.