More detail on this person: Helicopter accident
in the Gulf of Mexico.Captain Charles "Charlie" R.
Getchell, of Pace, Florida, died in a helicopter
crash offshore in the Gulf of Mwxico, at 7:50 A.M.
on the 23d of March, 2002. Charlie had been
employed with Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. for
twenty years and was highly experienced in many
models of single and multi-engined turbine
helicopters. This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site:
10/23/2024
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He served two tours in Vietnam, one with a unit in
the 1st Cav., which I believe may have been the
"Condors".He survived a shootdown, an engine
failure and crash into the Gulf of Mexico whereas
the A/C sank. Several years ago he was placed on
a heart trans-plant list and given no chance to
live long without it. He beat all of the odds,
regained his medical and went back to flying
duties with PHI.
He was a devout Christian and was highly
respected by all who came in contact with him. I
believe he is now flying escort for God in a
Golden Helicopter, powered by the breath of
Angels. So long, Charlie.
Jerry R. Brooks, USA Ret.
I met Charlie a couple years ago for a short time.
He was quality people. Here's an extract of his
obit taken from the Pensacola News Journal:
"Charles R. "Charlie" Getchell, 1945-2002.
Charles R. "Charlie" Getchell, age 56, of Pace,
died suddenly March 24, 2002, from injuries
received in a helicopter accident. He was born in
Milton, had resided most of life in Santa Rosa
County. Served as a Captain and pilot in the US
Army, serving two tours in Viet Nam. He was
employed with Petroleum Helicopters Inc., with 20
years service as a Captain/Pilot."
Did not find him listed in the directory, but when
I spoke with him I think he mentioned he flew
Cobras one tour and was in the 66 or 67 class
time. His brother was CW3 Kenny Getchell who is
deceased. If you need a hard copy of the obit or
other help, please e me. He died taking off from
an oil rig when the skid/landing gear caught on a
rail and dumped him into the sea. He was found in
the helicopter in about 100 feet of water.
From: Ron Hall
Herb Jenssen wrote:
Today at approximately 07:50, at EI 188, Sierra
310, Barry, was attempting to get fuel enroute and
therefore Echo 36 had to move from the platform.
When Charlie Getchell, Echo 36, attempted to T/O,
he wound up in the water and is now deceased.
There were no passengers involved. That is really
all there is to say at this point.
I will say, however, that PHI (as they always have
done in the past) has been excellent toward
handling this unfortunate incident. Barry was
immediately offered "Grief Counseling" and
Charlie's brother, Larry, was flown home on a
chartered plane. At last report, Barry is headed
home from his hitch. I'm sure the rest of the
story will follow through normal channels.
Kenneth and Charles Getchell were brothers.
When I graduated with class 68-7 in June 1968 I
was sent to Ft Hood to help form up B & C troops
of 2/17th Cav 101st Abn... Anyway, when I arrived
Charles "Chuck" Getchell was already there as a
very senior WO1.. He had been stationed at Ft
Hood after graduating almost a year earlier with
class 67-13 to help form up D trp 1/1 for RVN
deployment.. When D/1/1 was ready to deploy in
the Spring of `68, Chuck didn't deploy with his
troop because his older brother Ken was still
flying in RVN... So, he was held over while we
formed up the two 2/17th Cav troops.. He deployed
with C/2/17th Cav in March 1969... Anyway, while
we were at Ft Hood, Chuck and I shared a house off
post... In September, he invited me to accompany
him on leave to Milton, Florida because his
brother had just returned from RVN... The three of
us had a really nice time in Florida and that is
where I got to know his older brother Ken...It's
hard to believe they both eventually died of
helicopter accidents after making it through VN...
I think Chuck took a direct commission after his
first tour and went back for a second tour... Upon
his second return, I believe he was caught up in
the early `70's RIF and left the army... He was a
great Huey pilot.
From: Bill Russell