EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
Distraction; Situational Awareness; Human-Machine Interface
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Aircraft; Human Factors
I briefed the visual and set the localizer course and frequency for Runway 16L in the Number Two NAV. We accepted the visual approach clearance after calling the runway in sight and I armed the localizer. I was watching the runway anticipating the autopilot to capture the localizer for 16L. Right as ATC started calling us to tell us we had gone through the final approach course; I noticed that the localizer needle had already swung to the opposite side of where it should be for the runway I was looking at. Simultaneously the autopilot was beginning its slow bank to turn and intercept it. I disconnected the autopilot; corrected our course and landed without further incident.I believe that I had become complacent and quickly advised that I had the field in sight thinking I was looking at the correct runway.... It didn't even occur to me to double check I hadn't mistaken it for the parallel runway. If I don't let myself get complacent...and double check my perceptions of what I think is real; it would help prevent these sorts of incidents. If I rely on multiple sources to corroborate the facts before deciding; then these types of errors would probably decrease.
EMB-145 First Officer on a visual approach backed up by the localizer; overshot the runway by lining up on a parallel runway. A slow to intercept autopilot was a factor in not recognizing the error.