Using my iPad Air as a viewing screen, I find that shadows are mostly just black space. In a recent flight, this allowed a hill to sneak up on me while flying sideways. The video shows the results.

maybe call it a near miss

Lucky. This could've ended up much worse.

This was a Mavic Pro but could have the Mavic Air avoided this?

Sideways flying has its risks:  I usually look around first, and set my altitude to be higher than all obstacles, as I then sideways pan around an object.  I do wish that the Mavic Pro had a gimbal that could do +/-90 degrees horizontally. That way you could continue to move in a circle around something, with the obstacle sensors pointing ahead, while you had the camera fixed on the object to one side.

Also, if I am ever unsure of what I'm near, like maybe a tree, I don't climb until I look around so that I don't end up climbing into branches or an outcropping.

I would suggest to check the props for tiny cracks. It happened to me once (slowly hit a tree and auto recovered flight by mavic) and 1 of the props was slightly damaged. I replaced it to be sure.

Turn off the drone and try to rotate the camera along the three axes. Without effort, but from the stop to the stop. If you notice some kind of friction - in the service.
If in the future you start to notice the strange behavior of the camera: unexpected jerks to the side, delays, etc. - in the service.
But... I do not think that you will have at least one of these problems - I did not see the blow.  

LSessions Posted at 2018-2-4 23:03
This was a Mavic Pro but could have the Mavic Air avoided this?

No. The Mavic Air has an additional rear sensor but still no sensors on the sides.

The only drone presently sold by DJI that would have potentially avoided this is the Phantom 4 Pro whilst being flown in tripod mode as the IR side sensors may have detected the obstacle. No other prosumer grade drones have side sensors so unlikely this would have been avoided. Lucky recovery and I guess no damage done! As for being a crash - I'd say no as the drone maintained altitude and wasn't damaged - definitely a knock though!

Close call for sure. You may want to buy a lottery ticket. Lucky fella

No not a crash.... thats called pruning fly safe

Surely a "close call"...but your location is stunning!

We call it "jumping trees", can be dangerous for cars too . But a stunning location indeed!

a near miss but not a crash

a near miss but not a crash

Bekaru Tree Posted at 2018-2-5 15:28
a near miss but not a crash

Always a good rule, when flying sideways and backwards be in VLOS and to the rear of the action.  I have noticed the Mavic does recover well when encountering limbs.  Seems to be much more forgiving that the Phantom.  

Change of underwear for sure .......... stunning location

OP I'm guessing you are in Colorado or Utah?

Bekaru Tree Posted at 2018-2-5 15:27
a near miss but not a crash

you can say that again lol

Please check if the drone has any parts damaged by this, and see if the drone works properly and normally after that. You can send the drone in if necessary, contact our support for a further help. http://www.dji.com/support