We'll find out (maybe) but I don't have any particular doubts about the situation as described.
Among other things we don't hear the really tricky bits (final energy management, pattern, getting lined up) since those were apparently coached via cellphone.
A lot of folks with no aviation experience do have both comms experience, and situational experience to cope with emergent situations calmly: surface-based military, paramedics, law enforcement, firefighters...and probably some others I left out (apologies!)
And there are a lot of "Walter Mittys" out there who may have acquired a significant amount of "ground-school" knowledge, from magazines, books, cockpit youtubes, and yes - simming. Not operational knowledge or experience, but every little bit helps.