What happened
The pilot was operating a ski-equipped aircraft on snow-covered terrain, preparing for a personal cross-country flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91 regulations. While taxiing toward the end of the unprepared off-airport site, the left ski encountered a buried object hidden within the snowpack. This impact caused the airplane to veer sharply to the left. As a result of this deviation, the left wing collided with a stand of trees, leading to substantial damage to the airframe.
The investigation
Following the incident, the pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. The examination focused on the interaction between the ski equipment and the terrain. The primary finding was that the left ski struck a buried object in the snow during the taxi phase.