A Comparative Study on the Safety Analysis Methods of STPA and ARP4761

STPA (systems theoretic process analysis) is a kind of system engineering method, which can be used for the complex system to analyze its safety. However at present, the method is not in practical use and cannot well reflect the advanced nature and applicability of the method. By analyzing and comparing the STPA method with the analysis process in ARP4761, the conformity of STPA to GJB900A-2012 general requirements for equipment safety work is analyzed, which reflects the great advantages and applicability of STPA method and discovers its shortcomings. Some improvement measures are proposed in building functional control structure, identifying unsafe control behaviors and analyzing causes. The conclusion and proposed method can provide the theoretical and process guidance which is in line with the high-tech characteristics of modern aircraft and worthy of reference for the system-level safety design of complex aviation products. It deepens the integration of theory and practice, and provides reference for the further improvement of STPA method