PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD: Sighting near Russellville, Alabama, 2 December 1957

This document consists of a Project 10073 record card and an associated operational message regarding an incident that occurred on December 2, 1957, fifteen miles west of Russellville, Alabama. A local farmer and the sheriff reported a hole or path in the ground measuring 40 feet long and 3 feet wide, containing burnt metal particles. The property owner reported hearing an explosion on the day of the incident, though the site was not discovered until December 8, 1957. The report triggered a series of inquiries involving the 14th Air Force, Maxwell Flight Service, Redstone Arsenal, and the 3rd Army. Captain J. K. Selfe was dispatched to investigate the site via a Beaver aircraft. Following his investigation, the object was officially identified as an aircraft tip tank that had been accidentally dropped. The report notes a possible connection to 'Operation PIG IRON.' The document was originally classified as Confidential but was later cancelled or changed to unclassified under authority AFR 205-10.