On April 8, 2002, a Cessna 170B (registration N3470C) was involved in an aviation accident near Ocala, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control on landing roll, resulting in a loss of control/ground loop. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot reported that after a normal landing on runway 36, the aircraft ground looped to the right. The pilot applied full left rudder and right aileron but could not correct. No mechanical issues were reported.
Landing and Ground Loop
According to the pilot, the approach to land was normal. The airplane touched down on the centerline of runway 36, approximately 2,000 feet down the 6,096-foot-long runway. Immediately upon touchdown, the airplane departed the runway surface to the right and ground looped.
Pilot Actions
The pilot attempted to correct the directional control problem by adding full left rudder and full right aileron. Despite these inputs, the pilot was unable to stop the ground loop.
Aircraft and Conditions
The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or system failures with the airplane. The reported winds at the time of the accident were light and variable. The surface condition of the runway was dry.