March 1998 will be remembered for a pilot's split second decision that saved the Leeds United team. The club's players and staff were among 40 passengers successfully evacuated after an aeroplane they were travelling in crash-landed at Stansted Airport. The team, minus manager George Graham who stayed in London, were heading back to Leeds Bradford Airport after a 3-0 Premiership defeat against West Ham United at Upton Park. But as it reached a height of 150 feet, the starboard engine exploded into flames and the pilot - 61-year-old Captain John Hackett - aborted the flight. The plane overshot the runway as it crash-landed, with the nose wheel collapsing as the craft came to a stop about 300 feet from the perimeter fence. Capt Hackett admitted at the time that his actions had been unorthodox and that he had abandoned company policy. But his actions were vindicated by an Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) report. Experts later concluded the plane had been just 30 seconds from a full-blown explosion. Enjoy these photo memories from across Leeds in March 1998. READ MORE: Leeds in March 1997 - 15 stories making the news LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook
7. Leeds city centre
Helen Rowe from Belle Isle was taking part in a sponsored abseil down the side of the former YEP headquarters on Wellington Street. | Mel Hulme Photo: Mel Hulme
8. Horsforth
Kevin Simpson after having his charity haircut at The Hair Shop in aid of the Hayley Grundy Appeal. | YPN Photo: YPN
9. Leeds city centre
University of Leeds students were setting off for Morroco on a sponsored hitch hike for the charity 'Link Africa'. Pictured are, back, Hassan Abassi, Sarah Wilson and Elle Perkins. Front: Sarah Arbia and Andy Curran. | YPN Photo: YPN
10. West Park
Young dancers audition at the Northern Ballet Theatre for the 20 places up for grabs on the annual Easter course. | Dan Oxtoby Photo: Dan Oxtoby
11. Leeds city centre
Babe was being staged at the Grand Theatre. Pictured is Farmer Hoggett (Anthony Pedley) and Babe played by Karen Briffett. The sheep are from the Lara Academy of Dance in Wortley. | Graham Lindley Photo: Graham Lindley
12. Leeds city centre
This Janice Delroy with a Balloon sculpture she designed. | YPN Photo: YPN