Pilot Misidentifies Landmark, Strikes Trees During Lake Takeoff (N756SN)

Accident

During a takeoff from a lake, the pilot aligned the airplane with a protrusion of land on the shoreline left of the mouth of the Kulik River, believing it to be an island. The normal takeoff procedure required alignment with an island in the middle of the river's mouth. Upon realizing the protrusion was actually the shoreline, the pilot attempted a right step turn to lift the left float out of the water. The airplane became airborne but subsequently struck trees.

Pilot Account

The pilot stated that the airplane was too close to shore to abort the takeoff once the error was recognized.