Minecraft End Portal dropping us into the void

Having just killed the End Dragon solo (only died 4-5 times ), and received 62 levels of experience, I went to the End Gateway Portal to explore the outer islands.

I threw my ender eye and...was transported out into the void were I fell, losing all my XP and gear.

{Gnashing of teeth}

So, testing this issue, I found that (with nothing but ender eyes as gear) that only two out of eight times did I get transported to an island. Normally I am thrown into the void and killed.

Last time it transport me to the very top of the portal itself....which I could not get down from without dying.

All my research into this matter (http://minecraft.gamepedia.com/End_gateway_portal) indicates that this should not be happening. It should transport me to solid land.

Glitch?