Yes, panic is common in inexperienced crews.
Chelsey Sullenberger has been praised by some for his skill in landing an A320 on the Hudson river. I know him, and he was a fine pilot, but frankly most US airline pilots could have done the same with similar results.
Where Sullenberger and US airline pilots distinguish themselves is in maintaining cockpit discipline in an emergency. It requires experience (or specific training) to keep your cool in an emergency. US airlines specifically train that kind of discipline.