What happened
The certificated commercial pilot was operating a ski-equipped tailwheel airplane for a flight to a remote location. The intended destination was a river gravel bar covered with snow. During the landing roll on this surface, the aircraft's landing gear skis struck an object that was buried beneath the snowpack. The pilot did not visually identify the specific nature of the obstacle at the moment of impact.
Upon striking the object, the pilot applied engine power to abort the landing and departed the area without coming to a complete stop. After returning to the departure airport, the pilot conducted an inspection of the aircraft. This post-flight examination revealed structural damage located at the right main landing gear attach point on the fuselage.