Accident Summary
A floatplane equipped with amphibious floats sustained substantial damage to its right wing during a takeoff attempt from a lake. The pilot reported that the aircraft was not gaining airspeed as usual and that the takeoff run was taking longer than expected. Prior to aborting the takeoff, the left float lifted off the water, followed shortly by the right float. While in ground effect, the floatplane began to roll to the right. The pilot applied full left aileron to correct, but the roll continued. He then reduced engine power and selected 40 degrees of flaps, yet the aircraft continued rolling to the right. With the throttle increased to full, the right wing impacted the water.
Background
Two witnesses reported that, approximately one hour before the accident flight, the same floatplane, piloted by the same individual, had water taxied over rocks near the floatplane deck. The pilot noted that the lake level was 2 to 3 feet lower than normal. While water taxiing back to the deck, he saw the rocks but did not realize they had caused any damage to the floats. After the accident flight, he did not find any residual water in the floats but did not examine the rest of the floats because they were submerged.
Damage
The right wing of the floatplane sustained substantial damage as a result of the impact with the water.