Object in sky SE Alabama

Went outside my house in Headland, AL at 0517 to walk my dog before heading out hunting. As soon as we walked out I could see an object on fire in the sky traveling north to south that appeared to be about 5 or so miles due east. I would estimate it was at 15K altitude or below. Speed was steady but not supersonic (didn't hear anything). It gradually lost altitude as it travelled South but never heard an impact.

The front of the object was about a pinprick in size with another pin head ball about 1/4"-1/3" of an inch behind it (in my field of view). A thin line of flame connected the two objects and a slightly thicker flame trail followed the second part. The movement was steady, no oscillation or vibration between the objects relative to one another. Nor was the flame line have any noticeable curvature or rippling.

It's either a meteor coming in (my guess), a plane in distress on its way to impact (doubtful, no erratic movement or visible debris falling) or


in about 8 years we're going to start reading stories in the Dothan, AL or Cottondale, FL area of a kid belonging to Johnathan and Martha lifting a tractor or school bus.