I agree, if the plane still flies and the controls work you should be able to get any aircraft on the ground by being a pilot. If you have at least one engine still running you have a selection of airports to chose from. My first airplane didn't have a battery so had to prop it.
The only reason I needed a battery was to take the private pilot check ride and prove I could navigate with radios and talk to people.
I never forgot this when flying the big iron. Neither did Sully.