A9-497 was a Bristol Beaufort bomber, the Australian-built version of the British torpedo and reconnaissance aircraft, 13.5 m long with a 17.6 m wingspan. It flew with 1 Squadron RAAF from Gould airfield, about 100 km south of Darwin. On 26 November 1944 it developed engine trouble on a mission and turned back towards Darwin; the second engine then failed and the crew of four ditched at sea. They took about five hours to reach land, were spotted by a Catalina flying boat and were picked up by a launch the next day. All survived.

The aircraft was found by chance during a routine sonar survey commissioned by the Australian Hydrographic Office, clear enough on the imagery for experts to identify the type and how it landed. DSAC records a 2023 inspection by the NT Heritage Branch with club divers, and the discovery was publicised by Defence in January 2025. The wreck lies in about 18 m and is remarkably intact: throttles, gauges and cables remain in the cockpit, both engines and propellers are in place, and the gun turret still holds its machine gun pointing to port. Defence has stated that A9-497 will remain undisturbed under Northern Territory management. It is included here because it is part of the Darwin wreck record and a significant addition to it, but divers should not expect to visit unless the Heritage Branch opens access. It joins a growing list of Beauforts found off the NT and elsewhere in northern Australia by modern survey work, each adding detail to the story of the RAAF's strike squadrons in the north-west area campaign of 1942-45.

Boat only, and not an open-access site. The Beaufort was found by an Australian Hydrographic Office sonar survey and inspected by the NT Heritage Branch with DSAC divers; the position has not been released and Defence has stated the aircraft will remain undisturbed under NT management. Any visit would start from Cullen Bay Marina or the Cullen Bay ramp and would need the Heritage Branch's involvement.

Contact the Branch (08 8999 5039) before planning a dive.

Tide is everything in Darwin Harbour: the spring range is 7-8 m and tidal streams run hard through the harbour, so diving is generally only possible on neap tides (range under about 3-4 m), timed to the slack at high water when clearer ocean water sits over the site. Spring tides bring strong currents and silt-laden water with near-zero visibility. The dry season (May-October) gives the most consistent conditions; the south-east trade winds can chop up exposed water in the afternoon, so mornings are best.

In the wet season (November-April) run-off from the rivers and creeks drops visibility, afternoon storms build quickly, and the harbour is in cyclone season; box jellyfish are present October-May.

Not a recreational site at present. Inspection dives are planned with the NT Heritage Branch.

No operator access; position withheld. Heritage Branch and DSAC inspection dives only.