What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
On 03/05/2025 at approximately 11:16 MST the CRJ700 aircraft, while cruising at 36,000 feet the captain’s windshield heating element at the top right corner of the windshield began shorting out. Approximately 30 seconds later the outer ply of windshield laminate shattered. The first officer took over flying the aircraft since his windshield was clear. Following quick reference handbook (qrh) procedures the crew contacted dispatch, descended to 28,000 feet, and diverted to Denver, CO (den). No emergency was declared; however, the preliminary accident/incident notice stated that “D01 made the aircraft emergency”. The aircraft landed at den without further incident.
Maintenance at den replaced the captain’s windshield and performed required operational testing. All procedures were followed.
As the FAA filed it
ON 03/05/2025 AT APPROXIMATELY 11:16 MST THE CRJ700 AIRCRAFT, WHILE CRUISING AT 36,000 FEET THE CAPTAIN’S WINDSHIELD HEATING ELEMENT AT THE TOP RIGHT CORNER OF THE WINDSHIELD BEGAN SHORTING OUT. APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS LATER THE OUTER PLY OF WINDSHIELD LAMINATE SHATTERED. THE FIRST OFFICER TOOK OVER FLYING THE AIRCRAFT SINCE HIS WINDSHIELD WAS CLEAR. FOLLOWING QUICK REFERENCE HANDBOOK (QRH) PROCEDURES THE CREW CONTACTED DISPATCH, DESCENDED TO 28,000 FEET, AND DIVERTED TO DENVER, CO (DEN). NO EMERGENCY WAS DECLARED; HOWEVER, THE PRELIMINARY ACCIDENT/INCIDENT NOTICE STATED THAT “D01 MADE THE AIRCRAFT EMERGENCY”. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED AT DEN WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.
MAINTENANCE AT DEN REPLACED THE CAPTAIN’S WINDSHIELD AND PERFORMED REQUIRED OPERATIONAL TESTING. ALL PROCEDURES WERE FOLLOWED.