Event Overview
A pilot operating a floatplane began a takeoff run from a pond. As the aircraft lifted off, the pilot reported being blinded by glare from the sun, which led to disorientation. In response, the pilot attempted to abort the takeoff. During this maneuver, directional control was lost, and the floatplane subsequently struck a tree located on an island within the same pond.
Pilot's Account
The pilot stated that the airplane had no mechanical deficiencies. He further indicated that the accident could have been avoided by initiating the departure in a different direction, away from the sun. The pilot also noted that he had not completed a biennial flight review in six years and that four years had elapsed since his last Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) physical examination.
Additional Details
The accident occurred on a pond, with the tree strike happening on an island. No other information regarding the aircraft type, registration, occupants, injuries, or environmental conditions was provided in the source.