What happened
During the takeoff phase of flight, the pilot decided to depart into the wind to facilitate climbing over a 15-foot obstacle consisting of trees. In the process of attempting to lift off, the pilot initiated a premature rotation, which caused the heel of a float to drag.
The pilot later indicated that the takeoff should have been rejected by reducing power at that moment. Instead, the pilot pushed the nose of the aircraft down to regain airspeed and successfully lifted off at the edge of the lake. As the aircraft transitioned into flight, the bottom of the floats scraped the shoreline. Shortly after liftoff, while maintaining an altitude of approximately 5 feet, the aircraft collided with trees.
According to the pilot's report to the NTSB, the accident occurred because he misjudged the distance required to complete a safe takeoff.