What was found
WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH FL170 CA NOTICED A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD FORMING. WINDSHIELD HEAT THEN FAILED. CA ASKED FOR A DESCENT TO FL100. BEFORE REACHING FL100 THE WINDSHIELD COMPLETELY SPIDER-WEBBED. CA DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AND RETURNED TO CAK. TRUCKS DID ROLL. CABIN DID NOT BRACE. AIR CRAFT LANDED ON RWY 23 AND WAS ABLE TO TAXI TO GATE 8 WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. TAIL 518 IS BEING SENT TO RESCUE THE FLIGHT. / RR'D LH WINDSHIELD IAW CRJ 700 AMM 56-11-01-000/400-801. OPS CHECK GOOD. LEAK CHECK GOOD. RR'D LH WINDSHIELD HEAT CONTROLLER IAW CRJ 700 AMM 30-41-06-000/400-801. OPS CHECK GOOD."