Bd-700 captain starting an trans-atlantic flight reported returning to departure airport after the f...

Narrative:

Walk around completed no visible faults found. Oceanic portion of flight followed the most northerly track at FL450. At point zzzzz intersection prior to oceanic entry; a white flash was observed from the pilot side window; similar to a camera flash. There was no weather or lightning in the surrounding area and dismissed as light from another aircraft or ground. Following oceanic entry; a second flash was observed from the co-pilot side window. [Then] a loud bang was heard and the entire outer ply of the co-pilot windshield shattered. Although no crew alerting system (cas) messages had been posted prior to this; the right windshield fail cas message illuminated at this point. Pressurization was unaffected. Due to the severity of the failure and the associated flashes observed; a decision was made to make a steady descent to FL150 and return to [departure airport] (30 minutes) rather than continue across the north atlantic in the event that a total failure of the windshield occurred. Crew donned oxygen masks and [advised ATC] on controller pilot data link communications. Attempts were made to call [controller] on HF frequency without success. A 90 degree turn was made to the north away from the organized track system; all lights were illuminated; 7700 squawked and intentions were relayed to [controller] via a [commercial] aircraft on the guard frequency. At 20 miles off track; a further turn was made to parallel track towards [departure airport]. A relayed message instructed us to contact [controller] VHF; which was carried out and contact established. The aircraft then continued on heading 240 for vectors to land ILS 16. At this point the emergency state was canceled. Weather was 160/24g36 1/2 SM VV002; braking action good and blowing snow. Landing was uneventful apart from loss of nose gear steering caused by ice accumulation on the proximity switch.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: BD-700 Captain starting an trans-Atlantic flight reported returning to departure airport after the failure of the First Officer's windshield outer pane in flight.

Narrative: Walk around completed no visible faults found. Oceanic portion of flight followed the most northerly track at FL450. At point ZZZZZ Intersection prior to oceanic entry; a white flash was observed from the pilot side window; similar to a camera flash. There was no weather or lightning in the surrounding area and dismissed as light from another aircraft or ground. Following oceanic entry; a second flash was observed from the co-pilot side window. [Then] a loud bang was heard and the entire outer ply of the co-pilot windshield shattered. Although no Crew Alerting System (CAS) messages had been posted prior to this; the R windshield fail CAS message illuminated at this point. Pressurization was unaffected. Due to the severity of the failure and the associated flashes observed; a decision was made to make a steady descent to FL150 and return to [departure airport] (30 minutes) rather than continue across the North Atlantic in the event that a total failure of the windshield occurred. Crew donned oxygen masks and [advised ATC] on Controller Pilot Data Link Communications. Attempts were made to call [Controller] on HF frequency without success. A 90 degree turn was made to the North away from the organized track system; all lights were illuminated; 7700 squawked and intentions were relayed to [Controller] via a [commercial] aircraft on the guard frequency. At 20 miles off track; a further turn was made to parallel track towards [departure airport]. A relayed message instructed us to contact [Controller] VHF; which was carried out and contact established. The aircraft then continued on heading 240 for vectors to land ILS 16. At this point the emergency state was canceled. Weather was 160/24G36 1/2 SM VV002; braking action good and blowing snow. Landing was uneventful apart from loss of nose gear steering caused by ice accumulation on the proximity switch.

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.

Attributes
ACN	1410156
Time
Date	201612
Local Time Of Day	0001-0600
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZZ.ARTCC
State Reference	FO
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Night
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Global Express (BD700)
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Cruise
Route In Use	Oceanic
Flight Plan	VFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Cockpit Window
Person 1
Function	Captain
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Instrument
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 80 Flight Crew Total 6000 Flight Crew Type 700
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude Deviation - Track / Heading All Types Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown

Bd-700 captain starting an trans-atlantic flight reported returning to departure airport after the failure of the first officer's windshield outer pane in flight.