Pre-Landing Assessment
Before initiating the landing, the pilot performed two low-level passes over the frozen lake to visually inspect the surface and select a safe touchdown area.
Landing and Impact
On the landing roll, the left landing gear ski touched down. Immediately, the pilot heard a bang when the left ski struck a snow-covered raised ice ridge. The pilot continued to slow the airplane and brought it to a stop upright.
Post-Event Inspection
Inspection of the airplane showed that the landing gear box structure was bent and the bulkheads were damaged. The rest of the airplane had no noted mechanical anomalies.
Pilot's Assessment
The pilot reported that a better choice would have been to land in the middle of the lake, where conditions likely involved less slush and rough ice.