I'm with Mary Meagher in that I would only fly with an instructor these days.
As far as 'prangs' are concerned I am a virgin, but I have to admit to three times when, flying on my own, I thought that I would be unable to land safely and learned that horrible sweaty, tingly feeling when you know it's all going wrong but you have to keep your nerve and try to stay calm. (I was lucky each time and it all came right).
Of course I assume that this has never happened to anyone else.