At night, and if he was fatigued or on instruments for a long time before that, the disorientation could have easily lead to such an error.
LOTS of planes accidentally line up on the taxiway if visibility is reduced and cockpit workload is high. Heck, aircraft have even taken off on non active runways at the most advanced airport in the world with disastrous results at night. [0]
Inclement weather on approach at the end of a long flight can also lead to crew pressing home while under confusion, as in the case of the Korean airlines accident that landed short. [1]
More recently, at SFO too, the Asiana B777 crash was something that should have been almost impossible in a modern jetlines, but over reliance on automation and lazy piloting lead to that disaster.
LOTS of planes accidentally line up on the taxiway if visibility is reduced and cockpit workload is high. Heck, aircraft have even taken off on non active runways at the most advanced airport in the world with disastrous results at night. [0]
Inclement weather on approach at the end of a long flight can also lead to crew pressing home while under confusion, as in the case of the Korean airlines accident that landed short. [1]
More recently, at SFO too, the Asiana B777 crash was something that should have been almost impossible in a modern jetlines, but over reliance on automation and lazy piloting lead to that disaster.
[0] - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHekCU9CYvI
[1] - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=II4dwx00v28