Flying a night visual approach, wouldn't the lack of PAPI lights on the "runway" while looking to the left and seeing PAPI for the "other" runway, be a rather large clue? And by the time the AC pilots got to the gate, they knew they had lined up on the taxiway and overflown at least one aircraft from the radio traffic alone. UA1 reported it (both 'on the taxiway' and 'right over us'), tower acknowledged it AND tower told AC they'd lined up on Charlie. To not immediately secure the CVR and notify the proper authorities seems a major misjudgement. And why not allow a small commercial drone to "fly" and video that night approach with similar aircraft on the taxiway, the last 3 miles or so? It could provide crucial evidence at minimal risk.