Primary finding
Probable cause
The student pilot's failure to maintain clearance from obstacles while taxiing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
After landing, the student pilot was cleared to taxi to the ramp area at his flight school. The student pilot stated that he observed the fuel truck and misjudged the clearance. The left wing tip hit the parked fuel truck's ladder and the airplane pivoted to the left, where the leading edge of the wing struck the fuel truck. The damage to the airplane consisted of substantial structural damage to the left wing’s leading edge.
Source record
Factual narrative
After landing, the student pilot was cleared to taxi to the ramp area at his flight school. The student pilot stated that he observed the fuel truck and misjudged the clearance. The left wing tip hit the parked fuel truck's ladder and the airplane pivoted to the left where the leading edge of the wing struck the fuel truck. The damage to the airplane consisted of substantial structural damage to the left wing leading edge.