Primary finding
Probable cause
The student pilot's failure to monitor and maintain clearance from an obstacle during taxi.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot landed the airplane and was taxiing to a fueling facility when he decided that he did not have sufficient time to get fuel and still return the airplane within the allotted rental time. He maneuvered the airplane to a parking area, performed a U-turn, and, while maneuvering the airplane toward the taxiway center line, he saw a lamp post to his left. He immediately applied brake and rudder control input, but the airplane skidded, and the left wing struck the pole. The left aft wing spar sustained substantial damage during the impact sequence. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
The student pilot had just landed after completing a solo cross-country flight. He taxied the airplane, which was owned by a flight school, towards the ramp with the intention of using the restroom, and servicing the airplane with fuel. As he approached the fueling facility, he decided that he did not have sufficient time to get fuel, and still return the airplane within the allotted rental time, so he maneuvered the airplane to a parking area so he could perform a U-turn. After completing the turn, and while maneuvering the airplane back towards the taxi center line, he caught site of a lamp post to his left. He immediately applied brake and rudder control input, but the airplane skidded, and the left wing struck the pole. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left aft wing spar during the impact sequence. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.