Definition
An in-flight impact between two aircraft. Midair collisions most often occur in clear daytime conditions, within five miles of an airport, below 3,000 feet AGL, and during the approach or departure phases of flight when traffic density is highest.
Plain English
Two aircraft hitting each other while both are flying.
Context Anchor
Used in collision avoidance discussions, especially when pilots are scanning outside, listening for nearby traffic, and making decisions to keep clear of other aircraft.
Derivation
Midair means “in the middle of the air,” and collision comes from a Latin root meaning “to strike together.” Together, the phrase points to aircraft striking each other while airborne, not while parked or taxiing on the ground.
Why Pilots Care
A midair collision almost always causes severe damage or total loss of the aircraft and can result in fatalities.
Intuition Check
Do not read “midair” as meaning only high altitude. A midair collision can happen at low altitude too, such as near an airport, as long as the aircraft are airborne.
Example Sentence 1
To reduce the risk of a midair collision in the traffic pattern, the pilot announced position calls on the CTAF and scanned actively for other aircraft.
Example Sentence 2
Proper right-of-way procedures help prevent midair collisions when two aircraft approach each other head-on.