ATL02LA080

The pilot stated that the approach to land was normal and the airplane touched down on the centerline of runway 36, approximately 2000 down the runway. Immediately upon touchdown, the airplane departed the runway surface to the right and ground looped. The pilot attempted to correct directional control problem by adding full left rudder and full right aileron, but the pilot was unable to stop the ground loop. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or system failure with the airplane. The reported winds at the time of the accident were light and variable; the 6,096 foot long runway surface condition was dry.

On April 8, 2002 at 0800 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 170B, N3470C registered to a private pilot, collided with the ground adjacent to runway 36 while attempting a landing at Ocala Regional Airport in Ocala, Florida. The personal flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland, Florida at 0725 and was enroute to Ocala Regional Airport in Ocala, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the air transport pilot and his passenger were not injured.

The pilot stated that the approach profile to land was normal and the airplane touched down on the centerline of runway 36, approximately 2000 down the runway. Immediately upon touchdown, the airplane departed the runway surface to the right and ground looped. The pilot attempted to correct directional control problem by adding full left rudder and full right aileron, but the pilot was unable to stop the ground loop.

The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or system failure with the airplane. The reported winds at the time of the accident were light and variable; the 6,096 foot long runway surface condition was dry.