Incident Description
A pilot was taxiing a seaplane in a northerly direction at a speed high enough to keep the aircraft 'on the step.' The wind was from the southwest at 8 to 10 knots. When attempting to turn the aircraft to a southwesterly heading for takeoff, the aircraft did not respond to the turn input. Instead of aborting the takeoff, the pilot continued straight ahead, judging that there was sufficient room to take off in that direction.
As the aircraft accelerated to 38 to 40 knots and approached a levee, the pilot pulled the aircraft off the water. During the ascent, the right float grazed the top of the levee, causing the aircraft to veer to the right. Subsequently, the right wing collided with a telephone pole.