Incident Overview
A private pilot and two passengers were conducting a personal flight under night visual conditions. During the initial landing attempt, the aircraft drifted to the left, and the left main landing gear struck a snow drift. The pilot elected to abort the landing and initiated a go-around.
Second Landing and Outcome
On the second approach, at touchdown, the aircraft again veered left. The left wing settled onto the snow drift and slid along it for approximately 300 feet before coming to rest. Subsequent inspection revealed that the left main landing gear had separated from the aircraft during the first landing.
Pilot Recommendation
The pilot offered a recommendation for prevention of similar occurrences: "Go-around sooner before touchdown in snowbank that sheared off landing gear."