Event Summary
A pilot reported that during a flight, the engine became very rough shortly after takeoff. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and executed a forced landing on a dirt road. The road surface was soft, and during the landing rollout, the airplane nosed over.
Aircraft and Engine Information
The operator reported the airplane had accumulated 9,749 total hours of operation and was used for agricultural work. The engine had been operated for 750 hours since its last overhaul. Examination revealed that the No. 3 cylinder head had failed by separating from the cylinder barrel.
Sequence of Events
The pilot took off and flew approximately one-eighth of a mile before encountering the engine roughness. Unable to sustain altitude, the pilot selected a dirt road for the forced landing. The soft surface of the road contributed to the nose-over during the rollout.