That's the standard way for Hurri D's to die. 
Just look at the numbers: Last tour the D killed a total of 104 Panzer IV's, but had 109 deaths by Panzer IV's. You can bet the overwhelming majority was not actively shot down by those tanks 
I did get shot down by a Panzer today. 
 
  Came in at a steep angle and he started to ping me.  The hits threw off my aim and as I was crossing over top of him, the pinging sound turned into that horrible damage "crunching" sound.  I rolled over and went in.  
"Alright you bastage."  

  I went back to exact my revenge and pushed it too far - WHAM! (trees, not George Michael)
On the third try, he hit my oil and when I finally got him,  I towered and went to a base far, far away from that guy.  
