how fast was the plane going when it hit the fire truck
The plane was reportedly traveling at about 24 miles per hour (around 39 km/h) when it hit the fire truck, based on preliminary flight‑tracking data from Flightradar24 cited in news reports about the LaGuardia Air Canada Express crash.
Quick Scoop
Here’s the key info on how fast the plane was going when it hit the fire truck :
- Multiple news outlets, citing Flightradar24, report the impact speed was about 24 mph (≈39 km/h).
- This was after landing , while the aircraft was slowing down on the runway , not at full approach speed.
- Some early TV segments and social posts mentioned higher numbers (around 90–105 mph or 130 mph), but later clarified reporting and wire services emphasize the roughly 24 mph / 39 km/h estimate at the moment of collision.
Why there are different numbers
- Higher speeds (90–130 mph) : These appear to refer to earlier in the landing roll or approach , when the jet first touched down and began decelerating.
- 24 mph / 39 km/h : This is the speed cited as the approximate speed at the actual point of impact with the fire truck , according to flight‑tracking reconstructions and major news agency reports.
In practical terms: the plane was no longer at high landing speed but was still moving fast enough that the collision caused catastrophic damage, killing the pilots and injuring dozens of people.
| Context | Reported speed | Source type |
|---|---|---|
| Approximate impact speed with fire truck | ≈24 mph / 39 km/h | [3][5][9]Flight‑tracking data cited by major news outlets |
| Earlier in landing / approach phase | ≈93–105 mph; “around 130 mph” in some broadcasts | [7][1]Preliminary TV and social reports |
As of March 2026, details are still being refined by investigators, but the best current public estimate for the collision itself is about 24 mph (39 km/h).
Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.