What happened
While operating at Seattle-Tacoma Airport, the flight crew was cleared by Seattle Center for a visual approach to Runway 16 Right. Upon reaching the vicinity of Elliot Bay, the crew contacted Seattle-Tacoma Tower and received clearance to land on Runway 16 Right, sequenced behind a Boeing 737 that was in the process of touching down. Due to the distance between the two aircraft, the flight crew did not observe the preceding 737.
The Captain, acting as the pilot flying, aligned the aircraft with what he believed to be Runway 16 Right and continued the approach. The landing appeared uneventful until, shortly after touchdown, the tower notified the crew that they had landed on Taxiway Tango.
The investigation
The Captain reported that during the final approach, weather conditions included an overcast layer over the approach end of the runway and bright sunshine to the south of the airport. This lighting created a significant glare on the runway surface. The Captain noted that this contrast caused the area near the approach end of the runway to appear as a single dark shadow, making it difficult to distinguish between Runway 16 Right and Taxiway Tango. Although the Captain was familiar with the airport and aware of the large "X" located just off the north end of Taxiway Tango, he stated that the intense glare and shadows prevented him from noticing the marker before touchdown.