On January 10, 1994, about 1500 eastern standard time, an Aeronca 65-TL, N29404, owned and piloted by Boyce White, was substantially damaged during a landing on Findley Lake, Findley, New York. The pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan had not been filed for the flight operating under 14 CFR 91. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the student pilot reported that he departed from his farm field in his 1940, wooden snow-ski equipped airplane. His destination was a frozen lake to practice take-offs and landings. He further stated: "...After one touch and go to check on snow depth, landing gear failed upon touchdown for full stop landing...Plane slid in deep snow-covered ice about 40 feet...." Examination of the airplane revealed that a weld at the base of the left landing gear failed.