19990501004339A

Pilot reported acft engine problems to the houston TRACON and received vectors to Conroe, but was unable to make it to the arpt, the acft touched down, ground looped, and came to rest in a ditch. (.19) on may 1, 1999, approximately 0740 central daylight time, a Luscombe 83 experimental airplane, N2638K, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, following a loss of engine power near Conroe, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 code of federal regulations (CFR) part 91 personal cross-country flight. The aircraft is registered to and operated by the don Luscombe aviation history foundation of chandler, Arizona. The airline transport rated pilot, sole occupant of the aircraft, was seriously injured. The flight originated from lafayette, Louisiana, and was en route to austin, Texas. According to the FAA inspector, the pilot contacted houston center and reported the aircraft was experiencing engine problems. Houston center gave the pilot radar vectors to the nearest airport; however the aircraft was unable to make the airport. The pilot reported that during cruise flight he observed the fuel flow fluctuate three times. Subsequently, the engine "flamed out," and he was unable to restart it. He further reported that he was unable to locate the airport that ATC had identified as the nearest airport. During the forced landing to a road, he made a left to avoid trees. The aircraft touched down on its left main landing gear and veered off the right side of the road. The aircraft came to rest upright in a ditch, which parallels the road. Examination of the aircraft by the FAA inspector revealed both wings structurally damaged, the firewall buckled, and the empennage bent. There was evidence at the accident site of a fuel spill. (.4) while at a cruise altitude of 3,500 feet MSL, the pilot observed a fuel flow fluctuation, and the experimental airplane's engine lost power. The pilot was unable to restart the turboprop engine and prepared for a forced landing to a road. During the forced landing, at about 100 feet AGL, the pilot initiated a turn in order to see the traffice on the road. As the aircraft crossed the road, `the left wingtip and left main gear contacted the asphalt road, very hard.' The aircraft came to rest upright in a ditch, which paralleled the road. Examination of the fuel system by the pilot revealed a caterpillar was lodged in the forward facing vent to the right wing fuel tank. (-23)the pilot stated that the fuel low fluctuating (3 times) and engine flamed out. Attempted a relight, which was unsuccessful. Landed on highway 105 near walker rd.