What happened
The pilot-in-command of an amphibious airplane attempted to take off but applied inadequate technique during the initial phase. As the situation developed, the pilot experienced hesitation regarding whether to continue or abort the maneuver. He changed his mind twice before ultimately deciding to fly or skid into a group of trees.
The investigation
Following the accident, the pilot provided a statement regarding his actions during the takeoff attempt. He acknowledged that he should have retracted the flaps before reducing the throttle power. This procedural error contributed to the loss of performance needed to clear obstacles.
Findings
The primary factor in this accident was the pilot's failure to abort the takeoff in a timely manner. By delaying the decision to stop, he compounded the initial problem caused by inadequate technique. The resulting loss of control led directly to the collision with the trees.