I think the train of thought on this is, a NEAR MISS is a hit because if you nearly miss someone that means you almost missed them, as in you hit them....

think of it this way, driving in town, your driver says to you "i nearly missed that turn" did he miss the turn or actually make the turn, he made it.

so if you nearly miss someone in the air, that would mean you hit them, but almost missed them...

get it?