Question: How fast was the jet going that landed in the Hudson (upon impact)

[ruddstud]

Any ideas??

[BlackArcher101]

This article estimates 140 knots.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle5526723.ece

[pope04]

Which is about 160 mph.

[Ryan Coke]

I'd echo what the article says; normal approach speeds would be in the 130-150 kts range, could be higher depending on how much flap was out at the time. I had thought I heard that they didn't get a normal landing flap setting out, in which case the approach speed would be higher.

Having said that, he probably made contact at a speed below the normal ref (approach) speed, getting the nose up and speed back as much as possible before contact. So take another 10-25 kts off.

Conversion of knots to miles is approx 1.15 (as pope04 showed).

[BlackArcher101]

I would be leaning towards the higher side of the range. The fuel load also would have been fairly heavy so to maintain a smaller glide angle the speed was probably kept a bit higher than usual approach.

[photon]

Originally Posted by Ryan Coke

Having said that, he probably made contact at a speed below the normal ref (approach) speed, getting the nose up and speed back as much as possible before contact. So take another 10-25 kts off.

That's how I'd do it, basically stall it in.

I'm always ready to be the pilot if both pilots die!