Regional Jet 700 ER/LR (CRJ700)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Training / Qualification; Situational Awareness; Distraction; Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Declared Emergency; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
During cruise flight at 26;000 FT; I was the pilot flying. I observed what appeared to be insect debris or bird feces on my Captain forward windshield. At first I did not think anything of it. Another minute passed as I was reviewing my charts for our destination. I looked up again and noticed a crack in the windshield in the top right. I alerted the First Officer to it. At the same time the area I initially thought to be bird or insect debris had started cracking; bubbling increased in size both in length and width. In addition a bright electrical red in color arching occurred and the window began blackening in the affected area. I alerted the First Officer to check the QRH for the cracked windshield procedure. Momentarily after [that] the window shattered causing a loud bang. At that time I instructed the First Officer to contact ATC and ask for the closest suitable airport for landing. The ATC Controller advised it was 60 NM miles. I then declared an emergency and requested direct. I had a Captain deadheading in the cabin. I had the First Officer call the flight attendants and request he come to the interphone. I requested he enter the flight deck as another set of eyes for CRM and assessment purposes. While on the ILS approach to the runway; in VMC conditions [at] approximately 1;500 FT a bird flew in front of the aircraft and slammed into the fuselage just above the nose cone and just below the Captain windshield causing a bird strike. I transferred the controls to the First Officer so that he could make the landing; as my vision through the windshield was impaired. We landed without further incident. Crash Fire Rescue came to the gate to verify everything was OK. I proceeded to contact Dispatch; Maintenance Control; and my Flight Manager so that the company and management were properly notified the incident occurred.
A CRJ-700 Captain windshield failed at FL260 so an emergency was declared and flight diverted to the nearest airport where the First Officer made the landing.