Incident Details
During a cross-country flight, the pilot was cleared to land on runway 18. The winds were reported as 190 degrees at 8 knots. On final approach, the pilot noticed the airplane being pushed to the left and attempted correction using right control yoke and left rudder. The pilot reported that the second notch of flaps was engaged and power was applied.
During the flare, the stall warning light illuminated. The pilot indicated that this startled and distracted him, and that he kept the throttle in until the aircraft was off the runway. He pulled power as the aircraft entered a rocky area near the runway.
Lighting Conditions
The pilot reported that the lighting conditions at that time of day, shortly after sundown, affected his visual acuity. Sunset occurred at 1933, and civil twilight began at 2001. A computer sun-moon program determined that the sun was at -4.2 degrees on a magnetic bearing of 277.7 degrees.