Cockpit window crack in Fairbanks

Last week an MD-80 was on final approach to Fairbanks when the co-pilots side window cracked. Just the inner pane cracked, the outer pane was not damaged. This happened at 3000 feet when the defroster on the window shorted out and caused a power arc. The plane landed with no problems, but was grounded till the window was fixed. I spent a good part of my shift sending parts and tools to Fairbanks for the repair. 6 mechanics, 300 pounds of tools, more parts than you can shake a stick at, and 24 hours later everything was repaired and back to flight status.

These windows are very thick and heavy. If you look at the side cockpit window of an MD-80, you will see that they are not very large, but they weigh over 50 pounds due to the thickness of the glass. None of the mechanics on shift had ever seen such a crack caused by an electrical short before. Window cracks happen from time to time, but are usually caused by ice or the occasional bird that was in the wrong place at the wrong time.