Accident Overview
On December 24, 2022, at about 1653 Pacific standard time, a Beech V35B, registration N65Y, was substantially damaged when it impacted a building near Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK), Livermore, California. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
Pilot Account
The pilot reported that he departed runway 7L at LVK intending to remain in the airport traffic pattern. While on the upwind leg, the cabin door opened. He slowed the airplane using the throttle. Due to wind noise, he could not hear the tower controller well and could not see the instruments, though he could see the engine control knobs. He then heard the tower controller say "climb, climb, climb," at which point he realized the airplane was descending toward a building. He pushed the throttle in, but the airplane continued to descend and impacted a building. The pilot stated he usually takes off with the mixture full rich, propeller full forward, and throttle full. When he slowed the airplane, he did so with the throttle. Due to dark conditions, he could not be sure if he mistakenly pulled the mixture control knob instead of the throttle.
Witness Statement
A witness near the accident site reported hearing the accident airplane's engine sputtering as it passed his location, followed by the sound of the airplane impacting a building.
Wreckage Examination
Examination of the recovered wreckage revealed no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Fuel was expelled from various fuel lines upon removal. The engine-driven fuel pump was removed, and its drive shaft was found intact and rotated freely by hand. The fuel pump was disassembled and found unremarkable. Continuity of the throttle, propeller, and mixture controls was established from the cockpit to their respective control arms, and they moved from stop to stop by hand. Examination of the cockpit engine controls revealed the throttle knob was about 1 inch from full forward, the mixture was about 2 inches from full forward, and the propeller lever was about 1/2 inch from full forward.