Aircraft fueler reported a near collision on the ramp while fueling an aircraft. The fueler indicated an aircraft taxied extremely close to the fuel truck while fueling was in progress. The pilot of the taxiing aircraft refused the offer of fueler to move the fuel truck and passed within inches of the fuel truck.
Synopsis
Aircraft fueler reported a near collision on the ramp while fueling an aircraft. The fueler indicated an aircraft taxied extremely close to the fuel truck while fueling was in progress. The pilot of the taxiing aircraft refused the offer of fueler to move the fuel truck and passed within inches of the fuel truck.
Narrative
I was about to begin fueling a local flight school Aircraft X with a fuel truck; and Aircraft Y with winglets taxied on the same FBO ramp where the fuel truck was parked. The aircraft stopped as it approached me and the fuel truck; and I signaled to the pilot if he'd like me to move the fuel truck. The pilot insisted to not move the fuel truck and began taxing forward; missing the fuel truck by about five inches; and risked colliding the left winglet of the aircraft with the fuel truck; and possibly causing a fuel leak of about 1000 gallons (the fuel trucks holding capacity). The pilot had very little perception of how close the wing was to the fuel truck and decided to turn on the wing strobe lights to see how close the wing was to the truck; instead of paying attention to the wing walkers. The aircraft was about to shutdown and park; it was absolutely unnecessary to pass by the fuel truck that close and risking safety; when I could've moved the fuel truck in about one minute; and created enough space for the aircraft to safely taxi by.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.