Libyan Arab Airlines Flight 1103, a Boeing 727, was on approach to Tripoli International Airport when it collided with a Libyan Air Force Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 in dense airspace. The incident unfolded as the passenger aircraft, carrying 157 occupants including crew members, was nearing its final approach to the airport. The collision occurred under circumstances that indicated a failure to maintain proper separation between civilian and military flights in a shared airspace environment. Investigators later found that the air traffic control protocols in place were insufficient to prevent such an accident.

The possibility of miscommunication or inadequacies in the coordination of military exercises and normal commercial air traffic emerging over Libya was a significant concern following the collision. The tragedy was not merely a catastrophic accident; it underscored crucial issues regarding the safety of commercial air travel in conflict-affected regions, raising alarm about the broader ramifications regarding oversight and regulation surrounding military aircraft operations in proximity to civilian airspace.

In the aftermath, Libyan authorities faced international scrutiny regarding aviation regulations and the management of air traffic control systems, particularly in regions experiencing military engagements. The loss of lives in the collision sparked a series of discussions among international aviation bodies and prompted a review of safety procedures to protect civilian flights from military operations.