Incident Overview
The pilot reported that after circling a town several times while attempting to locate a private airstrip, he decided to proceed to a nearby airport. Shortly thereafter, the engine began running roughly and losing RPM. The pilot's attempts to restore power were unsuccessful, and the airplane could not maintain level flight.
Forced Landing and Evasive Action
Faced with the loss of power, the pilot elected to execute a forced landing on a gravel road. The initial touchdown was successful. However, after a short ground roll, the pilot lifted the airplane off again to avoid a high tree stump that was directly ahead.
Second Touchdown and Collision
Upon touching down the second time, the left wing struck a telephone pole. The impact caused the airplane to yaw into a ditch.
Atmospheric Conditions
The temperature at the time was 48 degrees Fahrenheit, with a dew point of 35 degrees Fahrenheit. According to icing probability charts, the atmospheric conditions at cruise power indicated a potential for serious icing.