Incident Overview
During a routine aerial application flight, the pilot observed engine oil appearing on the aircraft's windscreen. Shortly thereafter, the engine began to backfire and eventually ceased operation. The pilot executed a forced landing in an open field. During the landing roll-out, the aircraft encountered soft terrain and nosed over.
Post-Accident Examination
A post-accident examination of the aircraft's engine revealed that the exhaust valve push rod on the number three cylinder had failed.
Aircraft and Flight Details
The source does not specify the aircraft type, registration, engine count, date, operator, location, number of occupants, injuries, or damage items. The time of day, weather conditions, and involvement of air traffic control were not reported.