Dear Scotty,
What are the chances of an interference engine surviving a timing belt failure? My Nissan xterra had a failure and my valves survived! So just curious how lucky I really was!
I'd say you were extremely lucky - when the pistons and valves want to inhabit the same space, logically something has to give! Maybe if the engine was just idling the engine would just stop at that point without enough force to destroy anything. Still a lot of luck involved - time to buy lottery tickets!
My research shows your Xterra has a timing chain, not a timing belt. You probably threw an accessory belt (alternator, PS, etc.) which would not affect the pistons and valves colliding in the event of a chain break.
Aha!
Brilliant, Sherlock.
Thanks Joe.
You're elected our Chief Investigator! 
Depends on year of xterra.. up to 04 it’s a belt 05 plus it’s a chain
I asked that question at 9:28 am on 22/12/2021. No answer.
If you just idling you're going slow like 5 10 mph often and they will not bend
You never said what year or engine or mileage you have.