B737 flight crew reports bright flash and loud pop as first officers windshield shattered at 16;000 ...

Attributes
ACN	843534
Time
Date	200907
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.VOR
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Night
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B737-800
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Descent
Route In Use	STAR ZZZ
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Cockpit Window
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Flying
Person 2
Function	Pilot Not Flying First Officer
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown

Narrative:

On descent through 16;000 ft; 280 KTS cockpit saw electrical arc; heard loud pop; and observed multiple cracks in the first officer's R1 windshield. First officer observed apparent smooth inner pane. Accomplished QRH for damaged windshield checklist using the most conservative option per the first officer's experience with a previous incident and union safety recommendation. Turned off window heat; slowed to 250-210 and depressurized down to 9000 ft to lesson pressurization load on damaged window. Declared an emergency and landed uneventfully 15 minutes later. First officer's previous experience was absolutely invaluable.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737 flight crew reports bright flash and loud pop as First Officers windshield shattered at 16;000 feet during descent. Cabin differential pressure was reduced and an emergency declared before landing at destination.

Narrative: On descent through 16;000 FT; 280 KTS cockpit saw electrical arc; heard loud pop; and observed multiple cracks in the First Officer's R1 Windshield. First Officer observed apparent smooth inner pane. Accomplished QRH for Damaged Windshield checklist using the most conservative option per the First Officer's experience with a previous incident and union safety recommendation. Turned off window heat; slowed to 250-210 and depressurized down to 9000 FT to lesson pressurization load on damaged window. Declared an emergency and landed uneventfully 15 minutes later. First Officer's previous experience was absolutely invaluable.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.

B737 flight crew reports bright flash and loud pop as first officers windshield shattered at 16;000 feet during descent. Cabin differential pressure was reduced and an emergency declared before landing at destination.