 |
37000 Feet | Browse and search NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System |
|
A B737-700 captain reported that the captain's L-1 outer windshield pane cracked after leveling at FL380.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 878765 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201003 |
| Local Time Of Day | 0601-1200 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.ARTCC |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | B737-700 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Cruise |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Cockpit Window |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Captain |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 141 Flight Crew Type 23000 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe |
Narrative:
We departed for our destination. Shortly after leveling at FL380 we heard a very loud sound like a bird or rock impacting the windshield. My windshield (captain; front L-1) severely cracked; especially on the bottom third. We tightened our seatbelts and asked ATC for a lower altitude. I then noted arcing near the bottom of the windshield. We ran the QRH checklist and confirmed it was the outer pane. My visibility was substantially diminished; especially the lower portion where I am looking mostly. We informed the flight attendants and received a phone patch with dispatch for advice on returning to our departure airport or an alternate. Dispatch advised the alternate. I explained the situation to the passengers and proceeded uneventfully without declaring an emergency. Operations had a spare aircraft for us next door and we proceeded to our scheduled destination after a 50-minute delay.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: A B737-700 Captain reported that the Captain's L-1 outer windshield pane cracked after leveling at FL380.
Narrative: We departed for our destination. Shortly after leveling at FL380 we heard a very loud sound like a bird or rock impacting the windshield. My windshield (Captain; front L-1) severely cracked; especially on the bottom third. We tightened our seatbelts and asked ATC for a lower altitude. I then noted arcing near the bottom of the windshield. We ran the QRH checklist and confirmed it was the outer pane. My visibility was substantially diminished; especially the lower portion where I am looking mostly. We informed the Flight Attendants and received a phone patch with Dispatch for advice on returning to our departure airport or an alternate. Dispatch advised the alternate. I explained the situation to the passengers and proceeded uneventfully without declaring an emergency. Operations had a spare aircraft for us next door and we proceeded to our scheduled destination after a 50-minute delay.
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.