Mystery material ended up in backyard

GMascelli

GMascelli

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This material landed in the backyard of my family friend. They still live close to where I grew up in north Wilmington Delaware which is under the flight path into Philly. Anyone have any ideas as to what this might be? They think it’s part of a tire but I’m not sure it’s pliable just looking at the photos sent. I did ask and I’m waiting to hear back. FYI the same material has been found multiple days.
 

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According to AI, undetermined.

From the images, the material appears to be a dense, rubbery or synthetic compound, possibly rubberized debris. Given the texture and ridges, it may have come from an industrial or mechanical source such as:

  1. Aircraft Debris: If it fell from a plane, it could be part of a tire, conveyor belt, or insulation from the landing gear or other equipment. Aircraft tires are designed to be extremely durable, and the texture matches the kind of material used for heavy-duty aviation or industrial purposes.
  2. Industrial Equipment: It might be a piece of heavy-duty machinery, conveyor systems, or a rubberized mat used for vibration isolation or shock absorption.
  3. Other Sources: Given the soil and debris attached, it could also be an old piece of agricultural or construction equipment that surfaced due to ground movement or digging.
If your friend believes it fell from a plane:

  • Consider reaching out to the FAA or a local airport to report and inquire, especially if there’s reason to suspect aviation involvement. They can investigate unusual debris sightings.
If it’s unrelated to aviation, it could help to clean a small section and inspect for any markings or identifying features such as part numbers, which can reveal its origin.
 
Whatever it is, I don't advise eating it, even with that salt in the picture.

I"m thinking someone flushed the latrine holding tank.
 
It could be some heavy duty sound absorbing material. For what, I have no idea
 
The only thing on it is from the dirt on the ground. I passed on the suggestions here to my friends family and I'll post once they get an answer. She did say that you can not bend the material and it's heavy.
 
Part of a 737 tire for sure.
 
It came in a Bloomingdale’s bag. See first photo. Simply take it to the Bloomie’s returns desk and ask to return it for store credit. I’m sure they will ID it for you!

-Skip

ps: my official guess is that it is part of the tread of a tire.
 
frfly172 said:
Part of a 737 tire for sure.
Click to expand...

Skip Miller said:
ps: my official guess is that it is part of the tread of a tire.
Click to expand...

I am sure aircraft tires are pretty stiff, but are they so stiff that someone holding a piece like this would say "you cannot bend the material"?

GMascelli said:
I passed on the suggestions here to my friends family and I'll post once they get an answer. She did say that you can not bend the material and it's heavy.
Click to expand...
 
Recapped truck tire from a tug that was ingested into a super durable new Fan Blade system being tested on a Aurora spy plane and was ejected out the Fan Duct later.
 
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Looks like really thick roofing tar.

ETA: It also looks like it could be coal tar or creosote. They aren't near a railroad by chance, are they? Does it have any smell? Asphalt and coal tar/creosote both have a pretty distinct smell. You can cut a couple small pieces and drop them in glasses of lighter fluid to test. If the fluid turns green or yellow, it's coal tar/creosote; if it turns brown, it's asphalt. Either way, while not deadly toxic, I'm not sure I'd want it in my kitchen.
 
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Could it be pieces of track from a tracked vehicle? One example of new track, below. No idea, though, why such a thing would fall from an airplane.

1732672824070.png
 
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