On December 24, 1996, about 1300 eastern standard time, a homebuilt float equipped Rans S-12, N6156K, registered to a private individual, collided with trees shortly after takeoff from an intercoastal waterway near Jacksonville, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated about 2 minutes earlier from the intercoastal waterway. The pilot stated that after takeoff on the waterway, he maneuvered the airplane towards land to fly into a direct headwind and about 100 feet above ground level (agl), he reduced the engine power. The climb airspeed was about 10 mph above the stall speed and about 150 feet agl, he maneuvered the airplane towards the water. He then encountered a loss of altitude and applied full power but the airplane descended and collided with trees. He further stated that there was no engine or airframe malfunction before the impact with the palm tree. The pilot did not hold at the time of the accident a seaplane class rating.