On the morning of June 19, 1912, a tragic accident occurred above Brayelle Aerodrome, marking one of the earliest recorded mid-air collisions in aviation history. Two military pilots, flying biplanes at an altitude of just 60 meters, found themselves on a collision course. In a desperate attempt to avoid impact, both simultaneously chose to climb—a decision that sealed their fate. The collision was inevitable, and both aircraft fell to the ground, killing Captain Dubois of the 41st Artillery Regiment and Lieutenant Peignant of the 84th Infantry Regiment. The primary cause of this disaster was poor weather. A thick fog had settled over the aerodrome, drastically reducing visibility. At a time when aircraft were slow and lacked any form of electronic navigation or communication, pilots relied entirely on visual lookout. The fog made it impossible for either pilot to see the other until it was too late. This accident underscores a fundamental principle of aviation safety: the importance of maintaining situational awareness and the limits of human vision in degraded conditions. For modern ATPL and ATC students, this historical event is a stark reminder of why air traffic control exists. Today, controlled airspace, radar separation, and standardized phraseology prevent such tragedies. However, the same basic risk remains in uncontrolled airspace or during VFR flights in marginal weather. The 1912 collision teaches that even with modern technology, pilots must never underestimate the impact of reduced visibility on collision avoidance. It also highlights the value of crew resource management (CRM) and the need for clear, pre-planned emergency responses—lessons that are drilled into every ATPL candidate. From an ATC perspective, this event illustrates the evolution of separation standards. In 1912, there was no system to coordinate aircraft movements. Today, controllers use radar, flight plans, and procedural separation to ensure that aircraft never come within dangerous proximity. Yet, the human factor remains: a controller's ability to anticipate conflicts and issue timely instructions is still paramount. The Brayelle collision is a historical case study in why ATC procedures were developed and why they must be followed rigorously. In summary, the 1912 Brayelle collision is more than a historical footnote—it is a foundational lesson in aviation safety. For students training for ATPL or ATC licenses, it reinforces the critical importance of weather awareness, visual scanning, and the discipline to follow standard operating procedures. Every time a pilot checks the METAR or a controller issues a traffic advisory, they are building on the hard-won lessons of pioneers like Captain Dubois and Lieutenant Peignant.