Narrative:

While climbing enroute on course to our first waypoint; the aircraft experienced a 'shattered windscreen' on the left fwd (captains forward window) passing through 25;000 feet. Accompanied by a loud bang as the window shattered. We leveled the aircraft off; at 26;000 feet and asked center for a return course towards [departure airport] as we sorted out the checklist items and contacted flight control via satcom. The co-pilot (who was new to the company and fresh out of [training]) inadvertently advised center that we had an emergency prior to running the cracked window checklist. I am not sure [center] actually heard his transmission; as we were in an area of poor reception; expecting a frequency change. After running the checklist; we determined that; only the outermost pane was cracked and that the middle and inner panes were both good. I had adequate visibility out of an area just in front of my view. We enlisted the help of a jumpseating additional crew member; who was current and qualified on the md-11 to assist us with the communications with both the dispatcher and the company's maintenance personnel. Maintenance advised us; as did the checklist; that the aircraft could continue to destination with just; and only the outer pane damaged. We decided with the dispatcher; that we would continue back towards our destination of ZZZ1. We also advised center that we were 'not in an emergency situation'. We flew the remainder of the trip uneventfully. I turned the aircraft over to the co-pilot for landing; prior to descent; as he had the better unobstructed view out his forward window. We taxied the aircraft to the company's hangar for repairs.

Related reports:

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: MD-11 flight crew reported the Captain's windshield outer pane shattered in climb. Since the other panes were intact the flight continued to destination.

Narrative: While climbing enroute on course to our first waypoint; the aircraft experienced a 'Shattered Windscreen' on the L FWD (Captains forward window) passing through 25;000 feet. Accompanied by a loud bang as the window shattered. We leveled the aircraft off; at 26;000 feet and asked Center for a return course towards [departure airport] as we sorted out the checklist items and contacted flight control via SATCOM. The co-pilot (Who was new to the company and fresh out of [training]) inadvertently advised Center that we had an emergency prior to running the cracked window checklist. I am not sure [Center] actually heard his transmission; as we were in an area of poor reception; expecting a frequency change. After running the checklist; we determined that; only the outermost pane was cracked and that the middle and inner panes were both good. I had adequate visibility out of an area just in front of my view. We enlisted the help of a jumpseating additional crew member; who was current and qualified on the MD-11 to assist us with the communications with both the dispatcher and the company's maintenance personnel. Maintenance advised us; as did the checklist; that the aircraft could continue to destination with just; and only the outer pane damaged. We decided with the dispatcher; that we would continue back towards our destination of ZZZ1. We also advised Center that we were 'NOT IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION'. We flew the remainder of the trip uneventfully. I turned the aircraft over to the co-pilot for landing; prior to descent; as he had the better unobstructed view out his forward window. We taxied the aircraft to the company's hangar for repairs.

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.