Operations: Responding to Cockpit Window Cracks
The Citation’s windshield remained intact through an emergency landing in Fiji.
The Citation’s windshield remained intact through an emergency landing in Fiji.

An investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau concluded that good planning and quick crew reactions were responsible for the lack of injuries and significant damage after failure of the windshield of an Australian-registered Citation X on January 15. The aircraft had just leveled at FL450 after departing Samoa’s Faleolo International Airport (NSFA) for Sydney Airport (YSSY) when the crew received a “left windshield heat inoperable” warning that required the aircraft to leave icing conditions.