The Tailhook Association is a US based, fraternal, non-profit organization, supporting the interests of aircraft carrier aviation. The word tailhook refers to the hook on the tail of the aircraft which catches the arresting wire across the flight deck in order to stop the plane quickly.

According to a Department of Defense report, during the 35th Annual Tailhook Symposium, running from September 5 to 7, 1991, 83 women and 7 men were assaulted, many sexually. About 5000 people attended the convention during the three days.

On October 29, 1991, following a series of investigations, the Department of the Navy terminated all ties to the association, and ties were not restored until January 19, 1999.

A series of official investigations were conducted, but all widely criticized, and as late as 2002, the Tailhook chairman spoke of "the alleged misconduct that occurred in 1991".

Further reading

• The official website of the Tailhook Association
• PBS online on the scandal