The outer glass layer of a Boeing 737-800 cockpit windshield broke at an altitude of about 10,100 meters, forcing an emergency landing, according to a statement issued by Jiangxi Airlines on Saturday.
The glass of the cockpit's left front windshield broke suddenly while the plane was cruising from Korla of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to Zhengzhou, Henan Province.
Sparks flew when it broke, according to a video taken at the scene.
Under the command of air control, the crew lowered the aircraft and landed it safely at the nearby Lanzhou airport of Qinghai Province.
The airlines arranged make-up flights for the next day.
According to the flight manual, the broken outer glass of this aircraft type does not bear a structural load. The middle and inner layer of the windshield were in good condition.
The cause of the break is unknown.
(Compiled by Shi Ji)