and return to the US when it was just 600 feet from touching down.

The 117 passengers -- including a group of Warwick Academy students -- spent an extra night in Baltimore and were due to fly in today.

USAirways' flight 262 was on its final approach at about 600 feet when the Captain -- encountering severe crosswinds -- decided to abort, said station manager Mr. Herbie Siggins.

Under regulations, USAirways cannot land when there are crosswinds in excess of 29 knots. "We were recording gusts up to 35 knots yesterday,'' said Mr.

Siggins. "Unfortunately, had he been in ten minutes on either side of his time he would have probably been able to land.'' To complicate matters, the jet had only enough fuel for one landing attempt before it cut into fuel reserves. By law the jet had to have enough fuel in reserve to make it back to the US.

After departing Bermuda, the Boeing 737 proceeded to its alternate re-fueling depot at Nantucket, Massachusetts, and then returned to Baltimore. Passengers stayed at an airport hotel last night and will return at noon today.