March 30 in aviation: the first commercial flight in the world; the first balloon flight around the Earth.
On March 30, 1924, Deke Slayton, an American astronaut (d. 1993), was born. He was one of NASA's original "Mercury Seven" astronauts. He will serve as director of NASA flight crew operations. Deke Slayton was responsible for all of NASA's crew duties from November 1963 to March 1972, when he was granted medical permission to fly as a pilot on the Apollo-Soyuz test dock. At the time of the flight, he became the oldest person to fly in space.
Other aviation events on March 30.
Los Angeles Airways has established the world's first commercial service.
On March 30, 1962, Los Angeles Airways established the world's first commercial service using a multi-engine, turbine-powered helicopter, the Sikorsky S-621L, which could accommodate up to 28 passengers.
American Airlines Flight 1, a Boeing 707 plane, crashed in New York.
On March 30, 1962, American Airlines Flight 1, a Boeing 707, crashed in Jamaica Bay, Queens, New York, due to a rudder failure, killing all 95 passengers and crew on board the aircraft.
The Breitling Orbiter 3 hot air balloon has started its first flight around the world.
On March 30, 1999, the Breitling Orbiter 3 hot air balloon, with pilots Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones, began its first flight around the world. They will complete the flight on March 19, setting a new distance record for any type of aircraft, 40.804 km (25.360 miles), the flight being performed in 19 days, 21 hours and 47 minutes.
Launch of the Space Shuttle Columbia STS-109.
On March 30, 2002, the Space Shuttle Columbia STS-109 was launched at 11:22:02 UTC. Highlights of the mission were the Hubble Space Telescope service, but also the last successful mission to Columbia before STS-107.
A Boeing 737–200 was damaged when it left the runway when landing at Mwanza Airport.
On March 30, 2010, Air Tanzania Flight 100, a Boeing 737–200 (5H-MVZ) aircraft, sustained substantial damage when it left the runway on landing at Mwanza Airport when the front wheel broke. One of the engines was also damaged.