Incident Overview
A certified flight instructor (CFI) and two student pilots were involved in a ground collision between their airplane and a fuel truck while taxiing for takeoff. The CFI had earlier noticed the fuel truck to the left and pointed it out to the student pilot who was handling the controls.
Distraction During Taxi
As the airplane continued taxiing, a student seated in the back asked the CFI to explain how to determine the magnetic deviation column on the visual flight rules flight plan form. During this explanation, the CFI and the back-seat student focused solely on the compass card. At that moment, the airplane's right wing struck the front of the fuel truck.
Post-Collision Actions
The CFI immediately took over the controls and applied full brakes. Despite this corrective action, the momentum of the collision caused the airplane to swing into the side of the truck. The CFI then shut down the engine and turned off the battery. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures were reported by the pilot.