A B757-200 EICAS alerted fwd window with two cracks; then shortly a loud noise accompanying a shatte...

Narrative:

At cruise altitude FL370; fwd window inoperative EICAS message appeared; with formation of 2 cracks in fwd captain (ca) windshield. Within one minute window shattered with associated loud noise. Position at time of event was approximately 200 nm east of our departure airport and 85 nm west of a suitable alternate. Followed QRH and determined possible deformation of outer pane appeared near original failure point; QRH directed land at nearest suitable airport. Informed ATC and requested lower altitude and clearance to our selected divert airport. Informed fas; had deadheading captain come to cockpit to assist; informed dispatch via ACARS; and deadheading captain informed passenger. Determined because QRH recommended land at nearest; an overweight landing was appropriate. Overweight landing and emergency checklists were completed.first officer made normal landing. Following landing emergency was terminated after clearing the runway with taxi to the gate. Local staff handled customers. Appropriate maintenance log entries were made and contact was made to dispatch via phone.communication was difficult via ACARS and no communications was possible with local operations. Via radio operations not staffed with radio operator they said.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A B757-200 EICAS alerted FWD WINDOW with two cracks; then shortly a loud noise accompanying a shattered Captain's window. The QRH was completed; the flight diverted to a nearby airport and landed in emergency condition.

Narrative: At cruise altitude FL370; FWD WINDOW INOP EICAS message appeared; with formation of 2 cracks in FWD Captain (CA) windshield. Within one minute window shattered with associated loud noise. Position at time of event was approximately 200 nm E of our departure airport and 85 nm West of a suitable alternate. Followed QRH and determined possible deformation of outer pane appeared near original failure point; QRH directed land At Nearest Suitable Airport. Informed ATC and requested lower altitude and clearance to our selected divert airport. Informed FAs; had deadheading Captain come to cockpit to assist; informed Dispatch via ACARS; and deadheading Captain informed PAX. Determined because QRH recommended Land At Nearest; an overweight landing was appropriate. Overweight landing and Emergency checklists were completed.First Officer made normal landing. Following landing emergency was terminated after clearing the runway with taxi to the gate. Local staff handled customers. Appropriate maintenance log entries were made and contact was made to Dispatch via phone.Communication was difficult via ACARS and no communications was possible with local operations. Via radio operations not staffed with radio operator they said.

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	1246435
Time
Date	201503
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.ARTCC
State Reference	US
Environment
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B757-200
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Cruise
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Cockpit Window
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Not Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown

A B757-200 EICAS alerted fwd window with two cracks; then shortly a loud noise accompanying a shattered captain's window. The QRH was completed; the flight diverted to a nearby airport and landed in emergency condition.