Foot pedal does not operate needle

SOURCE: New singer 8280 needle hits overcasting foot and breaks

so, it sews for a while?  It sounds to me like the screw that holds the needle in place is loose.  As the needle moves up and down the screw loosens until that one fateful stitch, it comes out completely.  Try to tighten with a screw driver.
the other possibility is that it breaks if you are sewing over a bulky seam, like a flat fell.  as the presser foot "toes up" to go over the lump, the needle hits and there you are.
holler if that doesn't help.

SOURCE: Hand Wheel Won't Turn

The "Bobbin stopper" is in the incorrect position. It moves from side to side in a switch like motion. In one direction, it locks up the machine. That is, you can turn the wheele backwards, but not forward.. The bobbin stopper can be found in the book that cam with the machine. In our book, it is item #9.

SOURCE: Singer 2259 - The machine has stopped moving, the

Check to see if you have your bobbin winder on. That's usually the problem. Just push it to the left and you should be ok.

SOURCE: Singer sewing machine will not operate. push foot

Make sure that your bobbin winder is pushed all the way to the left (sewing position) and that you have selected a stitch pattern and the length is not on zero.

SOURCE: The needle does not move when the foot pedal is used.

Make sure that you pushed the bobbin winder all the way to the left.
Jimmy