at 09:29 gmt, flight 608 left shannon airport, bound for amsterdam airport schiphol. weather at the time was poor, with low clouds and heavy rain. two hours later, the aircraft was cleared to descend to 5500 feet to prepare for landing. this was eventually changed to 3500 feet. at 11:35, air traffic controllers cleared flight 608 to descend to 2500 feet, but received no response. after an extensive search, floating debris from the aircraft was found at 16:10 off the dutch coast near bergen.