Absolutely not! If he understood physics he would understand that the landing is impossible, and would therefore die in the attempt. That he doesn't know the landing is impossible is what makes it possible, and he lives. Simple.

Ahh, the Hitchiker's Guide method.

"Is a Mongolian horse archer applying physics even though he has no idea what physics is and it hasn't even been invented yet" is a pretty deep philosophical rabbit hole.

In the same way that one can appreciate good wine without having memorized the names of all the world's grape varieties.

Understanding physics wouldn't cut it, what you really need is a generous dose of plot armor.

It does work if we're living in a simulation.