LAX00LA270

The pilot was taxiing from the ramp to the runway. Prior to releasing the parking brake to move out of the parking spot, he visually verified that there were no people or vehicles in the area. While conducting the brake check he looked down into the cockpit to verify that he had a standby option on his radio. He noted that he did not have a standby option and returned his attention to the outside of the airplane and started the airplane moving in a forward direction. When he looked up from inside the cockpit he saw a refueling truck had positioned itself outside of the yellow parking space line. He attempted to avoid the vehicle by engaging full left rudder and left brake; however, the right wingtip collided with the vehicle.

On July 18, 2000, at 1300 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-38-112, N2400P, collided with a stationary fuel truck while taxiing from the ramp to the runway at the San Luis Obispo, California, airport. The airplane, owned and operated by Mazzei Flying Service under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, was rented by the pilot for a cross-country, personal flight. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight departed Fresno Yosemite International Airport, Fresno, California, about 1200, with a scheduled stop at the San Luis Obispo airport to refuel, and was scheduled to terminate back at the Fresno airport. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the personal flight and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed.

In the pilot's written statement to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), he reported that after his airplane had been refueled he started the engine, asked for, and received clearance to taxi to the active runway for departure. Prior to releasing the parking brake, he visually verified that the area was clear of people and moving vehicles. While conducting the brake check, he looked down to double check that there was a standby option on the radio. He noted that was not an option and returned his attention to the outside of the airplane, and "started in motion." When he looked out, he saw that a refueling truck had come from around the corner and positioned itself outside the yellow parking space line. He attempted to maneuver to avoid the vehicle by engaging full left rudder and left brake. The pilot stated that he was not able to get the right wing clear and the wingtip collided with the vehicle.