What term describes an event that almost caused an accident but did not?

A close call refers to an event that nearly results in an accident but ultimately does not lead to any harm or damage. This term is commonly used in safety and incident management contexts to emphasize the importance of recognizing situations that could have easily escalated into a more serious incident. Identifying close calls provides valuable insights, allowing organizations to analyze the near-miss events and improve safety protocols to prevent actual accidents in the future.

The other terms do not carry the same specific connotation. A fortunate occurrence does not inherently imply the aspect of danger or risk involved in the event. A minor incident typically indicates that some level of accident or harm has occurred, albeit small in scale. A dangerous situation suggests an ongoing risk or threat, rather than referring to a specific event that narrowly avoided causing harm. Thus, close call accurately encapsulates the essence of the situation described in the question.