Orlík II lands hard on its tailskid after bounces grow with each pitch correction

During a type conversion at Brno-Medlánky, the pilot of an Orličan VT-116 Orlík II was unhurt, but the glider was substantially damaged when his pitch corrections after a bounce on landing produced larger bounces and it struck the runway on its tailskid. On his second flight on type he approached at about 95 km/h into a headwind, and the glider bounced on touchdown. He pushed sharply, out of habit from other types, and the more effective all-moving tailplane pitched the glider into a steep descent; his reflexive pull bounced it again and it lost speed. The third impact broke the rear fuselage at the fin.

1. Second flight on the VT 116: After a dual check flight on an L-23 including stalls and spins and one familiarisation flight on type, the pilot was aerotowed from Brno-Medlánky for his second VT 116 flight.
2. Approach at about 95 km/h: Because of the headwind he flew the final approach to the grass RWY 34 at about 95 km/h, the top of the flight manual's 85-95 km/h range.
3. Bounce on touchdown: At the higher speed the glider bounced on touchdown.
4. Abrupt push after the bounce: He pushed the stick forward and partly closed the airbrakes; the push, abrupt out of habit from other types, was too much for the more effective all-moving tailplane.
5. Steep descent, reflexive pull: Caught out by the steep descent, he pulled reflexively and more than needed; the glider touched the runway, bounced again and lost speed.
6. Tailskid impact, rear fuselage broken: On the third bounce the glider sank and struck the runway hard on its tailskid, then its main wheel; the wooden rear fuselage broke at the fin. The pilot was unhurt.