Date: 201211
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: HOU.Airport, TX
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Dawn
Aircraft: Any Unknown or Unlisted Aircraft Manufacturer
Operator: Fractional
Operating under: Part 91
Flight phase: Landing
ATC / advisory: Tower HOU
Reporter organization: Fractional
Reporter function: Captain; Pilot Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Situational Awareness; Workload; Confusion; Distraction; Fatigue
Anomaly: Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Runway; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: Taxi
Result: Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Contributing factors: Weather; Airport; Human Factors
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: Enroute and initial approach went without a hitch. There were thunderstorms along planned STAR so we were moved onto one with a more favorable orientation to weather. We were expecting Runway 22 and that changed to an ILS/visual 12R halfway into to STAR but that was not a big issue. I started feeling a little pushed when we asked for lower but ATC had to hold us up for traffic out of IAH; as a result we ended up at 6;000 FT with less than 10 miles to the airport. ATC turned us onto a downwind heading and finally gave us a descent to 2;000 FT so I expedited to get down since we were trying to get a visual on the airport. We were maneuvering north of the airport when I finally got it in sight. ATC asked if we had it insight (it was at my 9:30 position under a little cloud so difficult for pilot not flying to see) and I said 'yes' to [the co-pilot] who advised ATC and we were cleared for a visual approach. I was looking outside maneuvering around the last few clouds keeping the airport insight and simply picked up on 12L; which was the one closest to us. Sad thing is we even had the ILS for 12R tuned up but I was focused on the outside and simply missed this since we were turned well inside the FAF. Approach was stable and Tower never said a word. It was not until the runway markings came insight (it was still dark) that the [co-pilot] made the comment 'I think we just landed on the wrong runway'. My response was 'I thought they cleared us for the visual 12L' and he said 'Yes; the visual; but that was for 12R.' As we taxied to the FBO the Tower never said a word to us and we decided it was best not to discuss this on the radio. After we got shutdown I phoned the Tower to discuss the issue. They confirmed the error; thanked me for the call; then said that it was not a problem due to the early hour and lack of traffic so they'd decided not to say anything to us. They also said they were not going to take any further action and thanked me again for the call.Classic situation; a little tired from an early get-up combined with subtle pressure of being a little late on a recovery trip; then throw in a little weather; a few ATC changes; a late descent; a visual approach with some clouds and the stage is set for some confusion. Lessons learned; slow down; take a little extra time; and always confirm both pilots agree on the runway cleared to land on. Maybe we should consider having this added as the last item on the Before Landing Checklist.




Synopsis: Corporate jet Captain reported landing on the wrong parallel runway on a night visual approach.