While it is doable, unless he spent a lot of time on a decent simulator/simulator program that is set to a transport category airplane, he will either over-control the plane and cartwheel it, or stall it and impact out of control in a very unsurvivable crash.
Basic knowledge is not enough, it takes experience with a jet aircraft of that size.
I had an uncle who was a genius physics guy. He routinely invented things from pure physics knowledge that ordinary folks would have to learn the old fashioned way. So while I realize experience would help, the character has, in theory, the brilliance to figure it out on the fly. Pun intended. :) So what I’m looking for is what would be the most plausible physical scenario.
Peace,
SR