USAF Identifies Likely Cause of C-130H Prop Cracks

The Air Force grounded some of the Hercules fleet last month, citing cracks in prop assemblies.

Wednesday, November 09, 2022 at 02:51 PM ET

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C-130H Hercules are capable of operating from rough, dirt strips and are the prime transport for airdropping troops and equipment into hostile areas. [Courtesy: U.S. Air Force]

Key Takeaways:

Electric arc etching pens, previously used for serializing parts, are identified as the likely cause of cracks in older C-130H Hercules propeller barrel assemblies.
The discovery of these cracks in early October led the U.S. Air Force to ground over 100 C-130H cargo aircraft equipped with the affected propellers.
The etching pen process was stopped six months ago and will not be used going forward.
The Air Force is implementing a recovery plan, which includes complex depot-level inspections, overhauls, and globally sourcing replacement propeller barrels for refurbishment.

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Electric arc etching pens were likely the cause of cracks in older propeller barrel assemblies that led the U.S. Air Force to ground a portion of its fleet of C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft last month, according to a report.

The cracks were discovered in early-October by a technician at the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center (KWRB), Georgia, who noticed a persistent leak on a C-130H propeller during a post-depot operation engine run check.