[citation needed] The captain elected to divert to San Juan, but shortly thereafter, the tower at St. Maarten advised them that the weather had improved sufficiently for landing.

[citation needed] After breaking off that approach, the crew made a third attempt, but the aircraft was too high to land safely.

[citation needed] After assessing the weather and fuel situation, the crew elected to divert to St. Croix, and received a vector and clearance.

[citation needed] Flight 980 ditched in the Caribbean Sea at 3:49 pm local time, 55 kilometres (30 nautical miles) east of St.

[citation needed] Consequently, an unknown number of passengers and at least 1 flight attendant were either standing up, or had their seat belts unfastened, when the aircraft struck the water.

[citation needed] An emergency slide, likely from the R1 door, had detached from the aircraft, and provided a life raft for most of the survivors.

[citation needed] The survivors were left bobbing in the turbulent and shark-inhabited sea in their life jackets until rescue came.

[citation needed] The report concluded that the cause of the accident was poor fuel management, complicated by the crew's inattention and distraction as a result of the weather situation and multiple diversions.

The ditching of Flight 980 is featured in the first season 1 episode of The Weather Channel documentary Why Planes Crash.

The episode, produced and directed by Caroline Sommers and entitled "Brace for Impact," aired in July 2009.