In aviation terms, what is the difference in a near miss and a near hit? Are they not the same?

Answer 1

A near miss is when you weren't trying to hit something and a near hit is when you were trying to hit something.

Answer 2

I assume that you are referring to a potential collision between two aircraft while they are airborne.
It depends on who's using the term.
I have never heard the term "near hit", more often I have heard the term "near miss", & that term is more often used by the media, & the general public.
Pilots seldom use any terminology when describing a so-called near miss because we just don't like to talk about that kind of thing, especially if one of us is the violator. ;-) LOL

The FAA in the US, or Transport Canada will describe what would be called a near miss between two or more aircraft as a "Loss of separation incident".
But no "near hit".

Answer 3

Near hit is not acceptable in the flying world. Near miss is referring to an "almost" mid-air collision.

Answer 4

It is related to the idea that a 'near miss' is not regarded as important as an actual collision and is likely to be investigated throughly. In workplace and other safety areas it has become fashionable to describe things as near hits or near accidents, so as to put more weight to the idea that something has to be done to prevent its re-occurrence.

"Todays near miss is tomorrows collision"

Answer 5

neither are official aviation terms.

The idea is described better as a separation violation. That means there was a violation in the requirements for separation between aircraft. This is why correct terms are prefered over slang terms. Slang can lead to confusion.

Answer 6

Near and hit are contradictory. Near isn't a hit.

Answer 7

Near miss = almost hit (screaming, white knuckles, release of body stuff)
Near hit = almost missed (all dead)

Answer 8

There is no such thing as a near hit.