May have clipped a wing or dinged the prop. Such and event would impart much momentum to the aircraft but more than enough to tip over the cow.
I saw an episode of “Dog Fights” on History Channel were an SBD took on three Zeros. He used his superior maneuverability to shoot down two. He reckoned that the third one was probably out of ammo and going to ram him on the next pass, so he pulled up and left at the last second, the wing tip of the SBD grazing the Zero. The sturdy SBD didn’t suffer much damage, the Zero took off trailing smoke.
Was that the Cajun pilot?
Well! This certainly qualifies you as an expert.
I, with my years of flying experience and a minor in physics, will just have to accede to your superior imagination.
ML/NJ