Regional Jet 200 ER/LR (CRJ200)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Distraction
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
While in Cruise; my windscreen started to arc and flash. A traveling crack had developed on the outer screen. My First Officer and I recognized the issue and began planning for the window to break. After a minute or so; the screen shattered. The break was on the outermost layer. We determined it to be prudent to descend slowly and reduce airspeed. We didn't want to create any more pressures on the compromised glass. Also; we didn't want to turn a relatively benign situation into a hurried and unsafe situation. Along our travel; we picked out good landing spots in the direction of our destination in case the situation worsened. ATC was alerted to our situation and priority routing was given. We landed the plane at our original destination. It proved to be the quickest in terms of time with our descent restrictions. Also; it had the best emergency services and clearest runways and lowest winds of the choices along the way.
A CRJ-200 Captain reported a cockpit window shattered during flight. After descending and reducing airspeed; a successful landing was accomplished at the destination airport.