I've had several deaths in IL-2.
Desperately trying to get some shots on the fast approaching enemy aircraft resulting in head on mid-air collision.
I've managed to drop bombs too low resulting in a broken plane.
Shooting an enemy aircraft heavily damaging it and then flying beneath it, then said enemy aircraft drops onto mine. You feel kind of stupid after such a mistake.
Staying too long behind the bombers so the turretmen can get some target practice.
When you mentioned the P-38 I remember getting the aileron controls damaged by AAA. But by selecting/de-selecting the engines and running them at different speeds I was able to bank the aircraft so I can turn. (Would be much easier with a throttle quadrant!) I managed to land at the airbase. It was the Pacific Islands map or whatever it's called. But it was only in the quick mission editor so, would have been more difficult in a mission.