Narrative:

During cruise flight at 26;000 ft; I was the pilot flying. I observed what appeared to be insect debris or bird feces on my captain forward windshield. At first I did not think anything of it. Another minute passed as I was reviewing my charts for our destination. I looked up again and noticed a crack in the windshield in the top right. I alerted the first officer to it. At the same time the area I initially thought to be bird or insect debris had started cracking; bubbling increased in size both in length and width. In addition a bright electrical red in color arching occurred and the window began blackening in the affected area. I alerted the first officer to check the QRH for the cracked windshield procedure. Momentarily after [that] the window shattered causing a loud bang. At that time I instructed the first officer to contact ATC and ask for the closest suitable airport for landing. The ATC controller advised it was 60 NM miles. I then declared an emergency and requested direct. I had a captain deadheading in the cabin. I had the first officer call the flight attendants and request he come to the interphone. I requested he enter the flight deck as another set of eyes for CRM and assessment purposes. While on the ILS approach to the runway; in VMC conditions [at] approximately 1;500 ft a bird flew in front of the aircraft and slammed into the fuselage just above the nose cone and just below the captain windshield causing a bird strike. I transferred the controls to the first officer so that he could make the landing; as my vision through the windshield was impaired. We landed without further incident. Crash fire rescue came to the gate to verify everything was ok. I proceeded to contact dispatch; maintenance control; and my flight manager so that the company and management were properly notified the incident occurred.

Related reports:

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A CRJ-700 Captain windshield failed at FL260 so an emergency was declared and flight diverted to the nearest airport where the First Officer made the landing.

Narrative: During cruise flight at 26;000 FT; I was the pilot flying. I observed what appeared to be insect debris or bird feces on my Captain forward windshield. At first I did not think anything of it. Another minute passed as I was reviewing my charts for our destination. I looked up again and noticed a crack in the windshield in the top right. I alerted the First Officer to it. At the same time the area I initially thought to be bird or insect debris had started cracking; bubbling increased in size both in length and width. In addition a bright electrical red in color arching occurred and the window began blackening in the affected area. I alerted the First Officer to check the QRH for the cracked windshield procedure. Momentarily after [that] the window shattered causing a loud bang. At that time I instructed the First Officer to contact ATC and ask for the closest suitable airport for landing. The ATC Controller advised it was 60 NM miles. I then declared an emergency and requested direct. I had a Captain deadheading in the cabin. I had the First Officer call the flight attendants and request he come to the interphone. I requested he enter the flight deck as another set of eyes for CRM and assessment purposes. While on the ILS approach to the runway; in VMC conditions [at] approximately 1;500 FT a bird flew in front of the aircraft and slammed into the fuselage just above the nose cone and just below the Captain windshield causing a bird strike. I transferred the controls to the First Officer so that he could make the landing; as my vision through the windshield was impaired. We landed without further incident. Crash Fire Rescue came to the gate to verify everything was OK. I proceeded to contact Dispatch; Maintenance Control; and my Flight Manager so that the company and management were properly notified the incident occurred.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 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.