First of all, these rocks are called meteors when they enter Earth's atmosphere. These meteors come from either comets or asteroids. Once they strike the ground, they are called meteorites. All meteors will burn up while plunging through the atmosphere. As to whether they survive this plunge depends on their composition makeup or their speed. Fewer than about 10% even make it to the ground. Most are in isolated areas, but there have been incidents where they have crashed into a house, cars, or even once an individual.