mechanical fault was detected just before the plane was to leave the US.

USAir station manager Mr. Herbie Siggins said last night that Flight 1489 to Bermuda was scrapped after the Boeing 727-200 that was to fly in 86 passengers developed a mechanical difficulty which mechanics in Philadelphia couldn't immediately repair.

He did not elaborate on the nature of the difficulty.

As a result, the 33 passengers that were scheduled to fly off the Island on the return leg of the flight had to be rerouted.

Most were flown out on scheduled USAir flights to either New York or Baltimore, Mr. Siggins said, adding that they all made it home in a "reasonable'' amount of time.

Mr. Siggins expected the airline's Philadelphia flight to resume today as scheduled.