ARP4761 Preliminary System Safety Assessment (PSSA) Checklist

A comprehensive checklist for conducting Preliminary System Safety Assessments (PSSA) on aircraft systems in compliance with SAE ARP4761 standard, focusing on evaluating proposed system architectures and allocating safety requirements.

Get Template

About This Checklist

The ARP4761 Preliminary System Safety Assessment (PSSA) Checklist is an essential tool for aviation safety professionals conducting early-stage safety analyses of aircraft systems. This checklist, aligned with the SAE ARP4761 standard, guides users through the process of evaluating proposed system architectures, identifying safety requirements, and assessing the ability of the design to meet safety objectives. By implementing this checklist, aerospace engineers and safety analysts can systematically analyze preliminary designs, allocate safety requirements to lower-level components, and identify potential design improvements, ultimately contributing to the development of safer and more reliable aircraft systems.

Learn more

Industry

Aerospace and Defense

Standard

SAE ARP4761 - Safety Assessment Process

Workspaces

Aircraft Design Offices

Occupations

System Safety Engineer
Aerospace Design Engineer
Safety Analyst
Avionics Systems Engineer
Certification Specialist
1
Is the system architecture compliant with safety requirements?
2
Provide a brief evaluation of the safety requirements for the system.
3
What is the risk assessment rating for the system?
Min1
Target3
Max5
4
Has the design evaluation been completed?
5
Is the safety engineering process compliant with ARP4761 standards?
6
Describe any changes made to the initial design after the PSSA.
7
What is the estimated safety risk level associated with the current design?
Min1
Target2
Max5
8
When was the last safety review conducted?
9
Has a comprehensive hazard analysis been completed for the system?
10
Provide justification for the chosen safety requirements.
11
How many safety requirements have been defined for this system?
Min0
Target10
Max100
12
When is the next safety review scheduled?
13
Has validation testing been completed for the system?
14
How many safety issues have been identified during the assessment?
Min0
Target2
Max50
15
Describe the mitigation measures implemented for identified safety issues.
16
What is the completion date of the safety assessment?
17
Is the design compliant with established aviation safety standards?
18
Provide an analysis of how safety requirements are integrated into the design.
19
How many safety tests have been conducted on the system?
Min0
Target5
Max100
20
When was the last update made to the safety documentation?

FAQs

The primary purpose is to guide aviation safety professionals through a systematic process of evaluating proposed system architectures and allocating safety requirements to lower-level components, in accordance with the SAE ARP4761 standard.

The PSSA checklist should be applied during the preliminary design phase, after the Functional Hazard Assessment (FHA) and before the detailed design phase, to influence the system architecture and design decisions.

By ensuring a thorough PSSA is conducted, this checklist helps identify potential safety issues early in the design process, allowing for timely implementation of safety measures and design improvements.

Yes, the PSSA checklist can be applied to both new system designs and modifications to existing systems, helping assess the safety impact of proposed changes or additions.

The PSSA checklist builds upon the results of the Functional Hazard Assessment (FHA) and provides inputs for the subsequent System Safety Assessment (SSA), forming a crucial link in the overall safety assessment process outlined in ARP4761.

Benefits of ARP4761 Preliminary System Safety Assessment (PSSA) Checklist

Ensures comprehensive safety analysis of preliminary system designs

Facilitates early identification of potential safety issues

Supports allocation of safety requirements to system components

Aids in compliance with SAE ARP4761 guidelines for PSSA

Enhances design decision-making process for improved system safety