In one type of large but unpressurised aircraft, the windshields were made from plastic coated in gold film to be conductive for the purpose of heating to de-mist. There was a thermostatic control mounted very near to the windscreen edge to regulate the heating of the windshield.
On one dark and snowy winter night in northern latitudes, the dry snow was brushing across the windscreen during cruise flight and causing static to build up immensely in the windshield, until it took the shortest path to discharge. (Think of combing your hair with a plastic comb on a dry day)
You've guessed it! The discharge occurred through the thermostat and caused it to fail "On". Of course the windshield just got hotter and hotter until by the time that the aircraft landed, the windscreen was bulging in towards the pilot.
It's worth remembering that whether air is hot or cold, it's dryness that offers the best conditions for static build-up.
Can't tell you the specific aircraft type, otherwise I'd have to shoot you.