<p>Human factors are a major contributor to aviation accidents. However, few studies have examined the potential psychological and behavioral mechanisms through which interpersonal distress influences flight safety from the perspective of psychosocial hazards. Drawing upon the conservation of resources theory, the primary objective of this study was to empirically investigate the relationships among interpersonal distress, anxiety, crew collaboration, and accident involvement in airline pilots. The study sample consisted of 691 commercial airline pilots from China. The results of a structural equation model revealed that interpersonal distress significantly predicted accident involvement, and this influence relationship was serial mediated by anxiety and crew collaboration. Specifically, three mediation pathways were identified: the independent mediating effects of anxiety and crew collaboration, respectively, and the serial mediating effect of anxiety and crew collaboration. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms by which psychosocial hazards affect flight safety, and offer guidance for developing interventions to safeguard pilots’ occupational health and well-being, which ultimately contributes to reducing aviation accidents.</p>