If you look at the
google street view of the area the ground slopes quite steeply below the array. The array sits on a concrete pad. I'd expect that below the dirt and gravel is a substantial concrete foundation. Given most footings and foundation walls around here have to be at least 3'- 4' deep to be below the frost line to prevent upheaval I imagine that is what took the gear off. Also being winter the ground was frozen solid almost as hard as concrete.
https://www.google.ca/maps/@44.86370...NV5w636Ziw!2e0
This Transport Canada Photo shows how far in front of the array the aircraft made first contact. Well below the level of the array. Anyone who has backed into a snowbank or slid of the road into one knows that snow and ice can be surprisingly unyielding.
