Accident Details
A student pilot was taxiing after landing when the left wing of the airplane contacted the upper part of a fuel tank at the fueling station. The pilot reported that he misjudged the wing's distance from the tank. The collision resulted in substantial damage to the left wing.
Taxi Route
The pilot's taxi route took place on the parking apron rather than the designated taxiway. This deviation brought the airplane into close proximity to the fueling station, increasing the risk of wing contact.
Aircraft Condition
The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The aircraft was functioning normally prior to the incident.
Investigation Findings
The investigation centered on the pilot's actions during taxi. The student pilot's misjudgment of wing clearance and the decision to taxi on the apron instead of the taxiway were identified as the circumstances leading to the wing strike. No other contributing factors were mentioned.