A rotating concave eddy current probe for detecting fatigue cracks hidden
from view underneath the head of a raised head fastener, such as a
buttonhead-type rivet, used to join together structural skins, such as
aluminum aircraft skins. The probe has a recessed concave dimple in its
bottom surface that closely conforms to the shape of the raised head. The
concave dimple holds the probe in good alignment on top of the rivet
while the probe is rotated around the rivet's centerline. One or more
magnetic coils are rigidly embedded within the probe's cylindrical body,
which is made of a non-conducting material. This design overcomes the
inspection impediment associated with widely varying conductivity in
fastened joints.