Mite of the Month, November 2003

N4089 is a 1952 M-18LA, serial number 128, owned by the Empire State Aerosciences Museum of Schenectady, NY. The photos and information for this article were kindly provided by Leonard Kilinski, Crew Chief at ESAM. Our thanks to Jean Cramer of ESAM for all the photos. (Click on the photos to enlarge)

The aircraft was donated to the Museum on May 4, 1990 by John Piersma, a dairy farmer from Oriskany, New York.

The engine is a smooth-running Lycoming O-145-B2. Len says it was started up on September 23, 2003 and ran beautifully.

Aircraft is ready for engine run-up on the ramp.

Al Petroni sits in the cockpit as Len Kilinski checks the throttle setting then cycles the prop in preparation for startup.

The Museum plans to exhibit the plane when they complete the restoration. The engine and airframe presently have 512.6 hours on them.

The engine is in good running order, but the major AD's (such as on the wing spars) will not be done due to the expense involved, nor will the paperwork (e.g. insurance) that would be required to fully certify it for flying.

On the side of the fuselage is stenciled, "Holland 1/2 Pint", and below the canopy rail, "John Piersma, Pioneer Pilot, Oriskany, NY.

As of August, 2003, the plane was almost complete and ready for delivery to the display committee.

Len Kilinski in the cockpit.

The Mite Site records show this Mite was previously owned by:

Harry Asbury of Sandston, VA in 1956.
Jonathan Berry, M.D., purchased it on August 27, 1958.
It was later bought by Mattituch Air Base on May 25, 1961
Clyde M. McCarthy of Staten Island NY bought it on June 23, 1962
Richard Voehringer bought it a year later, on June 13, 1963.
It was substantially damaged in a non-fatal accident at Balch Air Park near East Windsor, CT on May 6, 1964 due to premature lift-off and high vegetation.
Arnie Fowler, now of Troy, NY bought it from Voehringer, then rebuilt, licensed and flew it out of SCH (Schenectady).
John Piersma of Oriskany, NY from 1967 until 1990, when he donated it to the Museum.