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B737 flight crew reported descending to a safe altitude after the first officer's cockpit window shattered at FL310.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1328396 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201601 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1801-2400 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.ARTCC |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Night |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Cruise |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Cockpit Window |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Pilot Not Flying Captain |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 230 Flight Crew Type 15000 |
| Person 2 | |
| Function | First Officer Pilot Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 234 Flight Crew Type 298 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe |
Narrative:
While cruising at FL310; we both were heads down and observed a bright white flash. Neither of us recognized what had caused it. About 30 seconds later; we both witnessed another bright flash which we confirmed was arcing on the R1 window. 10 seconds later the R1 window shattered with numerous spider cracks encompassing the entire window. The first officer (first officer) put on his 02 mask and I put mine on at that time as well. We were unable to confirm if the cracks were on the inner or outer pane; due to the darkness in the cockpit and the extensive amount of cracks.I [advised] ATC and requested priority handling into [destination]. I took control of the aircraft and requested the first officer to pull out the QRH. By the time we had gotten through the checklist; we had descended to 10;000 feet. The pressurization was maintained in the cabin and no abnormal condition existed in the aircraft. The checklist called for continued normal operation for our condition. I [advised ATC] based on not having confidence in the structural integrity of the window.not having any experience with a shattered window at night; donning the O2 masks may have been premature; however; it was done to err on the side of safety.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: B737 flight crew reported descending to a safe altitude after the First Officer's cockpit window shattered at FL310.
Narrative: While cruising at FL310; we both were heads down and observed a bright white flash. Neither of us recognized what had caused it. About 30 seconds later; we both witnessed another bright flash which we confirmed was arcing on the R1 window. 10 seconds later the R1 window shattered with numerous spider cracks encompassing the entire window. The First Officer (FO) put on his 02 mask and I put mine on at that time as well. We were unable to confirm if the cracks were on the inner or outer pane; due to the darkness in the cockpit and the extensive amount of cracks.I [advised] ATC and requested priority handling into [destination]. I took control of the aircraft and requested the FO to pull out the QRH. By the time we had gotten through the checklist; we had descended to 10;000 feet. The pressurization was maintained in the cabin and no abnormal condition existed in the aircraft. The checklist called for continued normal operation for our condition. I [advised ATC] based on not having confidence in the structural integrity of the window.Not having any experience with a shattered window at night; donning the O2 masks may have been premature; however; it was done to err on the side of safety.
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.