Date: 201408
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Light: Dusk
Aircraft: Regional Jet 900 (CRJ900)
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight phase: Parked
Aircraft component: Cockpit Window
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain; Pilot Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Situational Awareness
Second reporter function: Pilot Not Flying; First Officer
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Other Person
When detected: Aircraft In Service At Gate
Result: General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Aircraft; Human Factors
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: After shutdown at the gate our FAA Inspector ride along asked a question about our right window which had an approximately 4 inch round hazy or milky looking blemish in the upper rear corner. I had not even noticed it prior to him mentioning it; probably due to having just gotten on the jet and taking over from the previous captain with all the things going on and with the inspector there the whole time. Anyway I explained that those types of blemishes were not a question of integrity of the window and that that one was really not obstructing the view where it was. I was sure it must have been there a long time and did not even really think of it as a maintenance related item. The inspector said nothing further. Of course as I was driving home I reflected on the event and decided to ask Maintenance Control. They said they would look into it. The next morning I again called Maintenance Control and was told they were ferrying the aircraft home and would be changing the window. I was surprised but also concerned that it was that big a deal and I had not thought it would be. I imagine I need to be more concerned about anything and everything. Even the things that seem to be mostly normal like the clouding in the window could potentially be cause for concern. Sometimes even things I would really never question could be enough to concern us all. Maybe what I think is common sense really is not. Call Maintenance Control on the spot for anything another airman or inspector questions. Never think you know things. I guess empires have fallen because people believed wrong assumptions. I never want myself or the company to be one of those.


Second narrative: After landing a side window delamination was pointed out. I believed that it was within tolerances and had been checked out by Maintenance. After we left the airport the Captain thought more about it and called Maintenance Control from his home. The plane had already left and was in a new destination. Contract Maintenance was called and found the delamination to be out of limits. I was told the aircraft was ferried back to base.I assumed that the delamination was within limits because I was used to seeing similar ones in the same spot on other aircraft. I frankly didn't even notice it as it was in the far rear position of the side window. I believe that I was so used to seeing similar defects in that spot I didn't think to research the item. After having it pointed out I should have researched the item and had Maintenance called to verify.


Synopsis: CRJ-900 flight crew reports being questioned by an FAA Inspector after gate arrival about an opaque area on the right side window; which the Captain does not think is significant and makes no logbook entry. The inspector makes no comment but the Captain contacts maintenance later; and the aircraft is taken out of service at a down line station.