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
13. Leeds city centre
BBC Radio 4 Gardeners' Question Time was held at Leeds Town Hall. Pictured are members of the panel, left to right, Geoffrey Smith, Eric Robson, Nigel Colborn and John Cushnie. | Graham Lindley Photo: Graham Lindley
14. Leeds city centre
The Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police, Graham Moore with a new West Yorkshire Police CD ROM that includes a virtual reality police station. | Gary Longbottom Photo: Gary Longbottom
15. Harehills
Debi Herbert of the Gym Health & Fitness Centre organised a sponsored 'Step Out' to raise funds for The Starlight Foundation charity. | Mel Hulme Photo: Mel Hulme
16. Leeds city centre
Artist Ashley Jackson and the Lord Mayor of Leeds Coun Linda Middleton with a 30ft mural to raise funds for Childline outside the Debenham's store on Briggate. | Mel Hulme Photo: Mel Hulme
17. Headingley
Carolyn Horsley, head of Leeds Grammar School Pre-Prep department with her Year2 class. | Peter Thacker Photo: Peter Thacker
18. Harehills
Abigail Barratt arrived at Harehills Library with a bunch of daffodils for Gladiator Hunter who launched the new Internet site at the library. The pair are pictured looking at the Gladiators web page. | Steve Riding Photo: Steve Riding