Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition
Procedure; Aircraft
While on our descent into ZZZ; we noticed a very fine hairline crack in the left windshield. After looking at it for a few seconds; we then saw that it was visibly growing. This was followed immediately by a 'L WSHLD HEAT' caution message. It was the First Officer (FO) leg; so I reached down for the QRH. After about 30 seconds; there was a loud 'pop' sound. I looked up to see that the left windshield was completely shattered. I ran the non-EICAS QRH for a shattered windshield. It was not clear to me if the core ply or inboard ply was shattered; so opted to choose 'Yes' when I reached that question to be conservative. We informed ATC of the situation; I felt I had sufficient control over the cabin altitude and cabin pressure differential pressure. They assigned us 10;000ft (as I recall) and asked if we needed lower yet. We responded 'negative' and were able to descend via the rest of the ALDAN 1 RNAV arrival. As we descended below 8;000ft; I was able to complete the QRH. The FO landed the aircraft with no problem. I finally had a chance to notify [operations and maintenance] after blocking in.
While on our descent below 10;000 ft; the FO and I were already task-saturated with managing the shattered windshield QRH when a flight attendant called to tell us that the passenger sitting in seat 1A was having trouble breathing. The passenger claimed that her throat was swelling/closing and that she was about to use her EpiPen. She was also asking for paramedics to meet the aircraft at the gate. At this point; I believe we were descending through 6;000 ft and on a 10 mile left downwind for runway. I immediately [advised] ATC and told them the details of the situation. ATC told us that paramedics would be waiting for us at the gate. They reassigned our landing runway which was much closer to our arrival gate. I made a PA; stating that we have a medical emergency; and asked passengers to remain in their seats until our sick passenger was off the aircraft. A flight attendant told me that there was a doctor onboard offering medical assistance; which I granted. After loading the new approach and performing the runway change items; the flight attendant called again to tell us that the passenger now claimed to be feeling better. She opted not to use the EpiPen and wanted to cancel the request for paramedics to meet the aircraft. I thought that that request was ill-advised and decided that she would get the medical attention she initially requested. We landed and taxied to the gate with no delay. Paramedics were standing by at the gate. After blocking in; I left the seatbelt sign on; while the passenger walked off the aircraft. The paramedics said that the woman refused medical attention. The flight attendants told me that the passenger did not use any emergency equipment; her own or the company's. The only thing she received was some water. I finally got a chance to inform OCC of the situation after we blocked in.
Bombardier CRJ Captain reported a shatter windshield associated with a 'WINDSHIELD OVERHEAT' message and a passenger medical emergency during descent.