Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Confusion; Distraction; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Airport; Environment - Non Weather Related; Procedure; Human Factors
Runways 23 and 19 are closely aligned. We received vectors for a left downwind visual approach and the runway we were paralleling was actually runway 19; when we were cleared for a visual approach to runway 23. The approach was conducted at night in VMC conditions with strong crosswinds. When I turned base to final; I was momentarily lined up for runway 19 since the runway lights and VASI lights were clearly identifiable for that runway. The tower had the lights on for both intersecting runways; which made it confusing in this instance. Tower immediately noticed we were not aligned for landing runway 23; and queried on the radio. I simultaneously noticed my error since my LOC course needle to runway 23 was 'to the left' and not aligned. I was immediately able to correct to align to runway 23 while still at a maneuvering altitude of 1;000 AFE. I would recommend making a -7 page note about these two runways being closely aligned and if both runway lights are on at night and on a base to final turn; it is possible to turn and line up with runway 19 in error.
Air carrier vectored on a left downwind for a CAK Runway 23 night visual initially lined up on Runway 19. Both runway VASIs and runway lights were on and the runway lights appear closely aligned at night. ATC and crew became reoriented and continued the Runway 23 approach.