Mike deGruy was a renowned underwater cinematographer, producer, and director who dedicated his life to exploring and documenting the wonders of the ocean. He worked on many acclaimed documentaries, such as The Blue Planet, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, and Deep Sea. He was also a charismatic storyteller who shared his love and knowledge of the marine world with audiences around the globe. However, his brilliant career and life were cut short by a tragic helicopter crash that claimed his life and that of another filmmaker, Andrew Wight, on February 4, 2012. What was the cause of this fatal accident, and what legacy did Mike deGruy leave behind?
The Helicopter Crash
According to Wikipedia, Mike deGruy and Andrew Wight were in Australia to work on a documentary project with James Cameron, the director of Titanic and Avatar. They were planning to film a deep-sea expedition in the New Britain Trench, off the coast of Papua New Guinea. On the morning of February 4, they boarded a Robinson R44 helicopter at an airstrip near Nowra, about 97 miles north of Sydney. Wight was piloting the helicopter, while deGruy was the passenger.
However, something went wrong shortly after takeoff. The helicopter crashed into a nearby field and burst into flames. Both deGruy and Wight died at the scene. No one else was injured in the incident.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) conducted an investigation into the cause of the crash. According to their report, the helicopter had been modified with an external camera mount on the left side of the fuselage. This modification altered the aerodynamics and weight distribution of the helicopter, making it more difficult to control. The report also found that Wight had limited experience in flying the modified helicopter, and that he may have been distracted by operating the camera system. The report concluded that the probable cause of the crash was “the pilot’s loss of control of the helicopter due to a combination of factors, including unfamiliarity with the helicopter’s handling characteristics, possible distraction from operating or monitoring the camera system, and environmental conditions.”
The Legacy of Mike deGruy
Mike deGruy was born on December 29, 1951, in Mobile, Alabama. He developed a passion for the ocean at an early age, and pursued a career in marine biology. He graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in zoology, and then enrolled in a Ph.D. program at the University of Hawaii. However, he soon discovered his talent for filmmaking, and decided to switch his focus to underwater cinematography.
He spent more than three decades traveling the world and filming the ocean for various clients, such as BBC, PBS, National Geographic, and Discovery Channel. He won multiple Emmy and BAFTA awards for his work, and was recognized as one of the best in his field. He also became a popular host and narrator for many documentaries, using his humor and enthusiasm to engage and educate viewers.
Some of his notable achievements include diving beneath thermal vents in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, filming rare and elusive creatures such as the nautilus and the vampire squid, and being part of James Cameron’s Deepsea Challenge expedition to the Mariana Trench.
He was also an advocate for ocean conservation and awareness. He was deeply affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, which prompted him to become more vocal about environmental issues. He gave a passionate TED talk about his love of the ocean and his hope for its future on the Mission Blue Voyage in 2010.
He is survived by his wife Mimi Armstrong deGruy, who is also a filmmaker, and their two children. His wife directed a documentary about his life and work titled Diving Deep: The Life and Times of Mike deGruy, which was released in 2020.
Mike deGruy was a remarkable person who inspired many people with his vision and passion for the ocean. He once said: “I’m not here to make money; I’m here to make difference.” He certainly did make a difference, both in his field and in the hearts of those who knew him or watched his films. He will be remembered as a pioneer, a storyteller, and a friend of the ocean.
