Impact of QMS Practices on Human Factor Errors (Ground Crew) with the Mediation of Safety Compliance Behaviour and Moderation of Time Pressure in Aviation Maintenance Organizations of Pakistan

Background: Aviation maintenance is a safety-critical activity in which human-factor errors may arise from organizational, procedural, and operational conditions. Quality Management System practices may strengthen safety performance, but their relationship with human-factor errors and the roles of safety compliance and time pressure remain insufficiently understood in Pakistan. Objective: To examine the effect of QMS practices on Human Factor Errors among ground crew in Pakistani aviation maintenance organizations, and to assess the mediating role of Safety Compliance Behaviour and moderating role of Time Pressure. Methods: A quantitative, explanatory, cross-sectional study was conducted among 143 aviation maintenance personnel. Data were collected using a structured five-point Likert-scale questionnaire measuring QMS Practices, Safety Compliance Behaviour, Time Pressure, and Human Factor Errors. Data were analyzed using SPSS through descriptive statistics, correlation, regression, mediation, and moderation analyses. Results: QMS Practices significantly predicted Safety Compliance Behaviour (β = .884, p < .001; R² = .781). However, QMS Practices did not significantly predict Human Factor Errors (β = −.124, p = .142), and Safety Compliance Behaviour was not significantly associated with Human Factor Errors (β = −.098, p = .244). Mediation analysis was not significant. Time Pressure did not significantly moderate the proposed relationship (β = −.612, p = .116), but demonstrated a significant positive direct effect on Human Factor Errors (β = .854, p = .003). Conclusion: QMS practices strongly promote safety compliance but may not independently reduce human-factor errors. Effective error prevention should therefore combine QMS implementation with workload management, realistic scheduling, and broader human-factors interventions.