Incident Overview
Two airplanes operated by student pilots on solo skills-building training flights collided on the ground at an airport taxiway. Both aircraft had completed a short cross-country flight and landed, then after a break taxied toward the runway.
Sequence of Events
The lead airplane pulled to the right side of the taxiway to allow the following airplane to pass on the left. While attempting to pass, the pilot of the following airplane was looking at the onboard navigation device. The right wing of the following airplane struck the left wing of the lead airplane.
Post-Collision Actions
Both pilots shut down their engines, exited, and assessed the damage. Determining it to be inconsequential, they departed for the next leg of their training flights.
Subsequent Findings
Further examination by the flight school's maintenance department revealed substantial damage to the left wing aileron of the stationary airplane and to three right-wing ribs of the passing airplane. Both pilots reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.