B737-700
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft
[We had a] normal operations with pushback; taxi; takeoff and climbout until climbing above 14;000 to FL230 when the Captain's side Number L1 window shattered. No bird strike was suspected. The shattering centered in the window's top 11 o'clock position and 'spider webbed' thru the entire window with several cracks. ATC was notified that we were stopping the climb and the aircraft was leveled off between 16;000 and 17;000 FT. The check list for window damage was used. ATC was notified of the problem and a lower altitude and vectors to [departure airport] were requested. When considering the structural integrity of the window may be compromised; an emergency was declared with ATC. Maintenance and Operations were notified of the return. The flight attendants and passengers were notified. Dispatch acknowledged the return with an ACARS message. An overweight landing of 136;800 LBS was made and noted in the logbook write up. The window damage appears to be from stress as no bird strike was suspected.
B737-700 Captain reported failure of Captain's L1 window in climb. An emergency was declared and the flight returned to departure airport.