tail rotor

British  

noun

1. a small propeller fitted to the rear of a helicopter to counteract the torque reaction of the main rotor and thus prevent the body of the helicopter from rotating in an opposite direction

---

Example Sentences

It appeared that the helicopter augered into the dirt embankment on the side of the highway, tearing up weeds with its tail rotor before skidding across five freeway lanes.

From Los Angeles Times

When the report final report was published, it concluded a tail rotor bearing seized, which in turn caused the helicopter to crash.

From BBC

The tail rotor counteracts the torque of a helicopter's main rotor to ensure the aircraft does not spin out of control.

From Reuters

It concludes a tail rotor bearing seized, which in turn caused the crash.

From BBC

The pilot’s pedals became disconnected from the tail rotor, investigators found, and it resulted in the aircraft making a sharp right turn which was “impossible” to control.

From Seattle Times