What happened
A private certificated pilot was operating a float-equipped airplane departing from a small lake. Approximately 45 minutes prior to the accident, the pilot had landed on the lake to collect cargo for a fishing camp. According to the pilot, the wind was from the west during the initial landing, but conditions became calm as he began taxiing for departure.
The pilot initiated a takeoff run toward the west. As the aircraft reached the step, the pilot noted that while the ground speed appeared high, the airspeed remained low. As the airplane became airborne near the edge of the lake shoreline, the tail portion of the float assembly struck a six-inch high berm located at the lake's edge. The impact caused the aircraft to come to rest on a road running along the shoreline.
The aircraft sustained damage to its propeller, tail section, and float assemblies. Although the pilot noted calm winds during taxi, witnesses reported that as the aircraft taxied onto the lake for departure, a wind from the southeast at approximately 15 knots had begun to blow.