Incident Details
A flight instructor and a student pilot were taxiing after landing. The instructor had given control to the student for taxi to the ramp. Upon entering the ramp, the student taxied toward an unoccupied parking spot. The instructor stated that the student had been taught to stop perpendicular to the spot, shut down the engine, and use a tow bar to back into the spot, as per company policy.
Student's Actions
As the student passed a parked fuel truck adjacent to the parking spot, he maneuvered the airplane into the spot without following company policy. During the left turn, the instructor observed the left wingtip approaching the truck. He applied brakes and told the student to stop, but the left wing struck the truck. The student later reported that he did not follow company policy.
Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing spar.
Mechanical Status
The chief flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.