Research shows that only 10% of all accidents are caused by unsafe conditions; 90% of all accidents are the result of organizational and human factors where latent conditions combine with active failures to produce an accident. Since the greatest threats to aviation safety originate in organizational issues, making the system even safer will require action by the organization.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has identified a number of areas in which certain elements of aviation safety programs may be further supported and enhanced, through Safety Management Systems (SMS).