The discovery of a World War 2 aircraft off the Northern Territory coast highlights one of the many benefits of surveying conducted by Defence's Australian Hydrographic Office.
It was a routine hydrographic survey that uncovered a World War 2 Beaufort Bomber aircraft off the coast of Darwin, much to the excitement of those involved.
The aircraft, lost during a mission in 1944, was found during a survey of the area conducted as part of the HydroScheme Industry Partnership Program (HIPP) of the Australian Hydrographic Office (AHO).
Chief Surveyor from hydrographic and geophysical survey company EGS Charles Collins, who led the survey team, said the discovery was unexpected.
"We knew of a few shipwrecks in the area, but as the sonar image began appearing on the screen it was clear we had found an intact aircraft," Mr Collins said.
"From the data, you could clearly make out everything on it and you just wondered what had happened to this aircraft.
"It was thrilling to discover and be a part of."
Surveying involved using a type of sonar that maps the seabed. The images from the survey provided a clear enough picture to infer what type of aircraft it was, and what state the bomber was in when it landed.
The cockpit's throttles, gauges and cables were still intact, along with the two engines and propellers. The gun turret with the machine gun was still in place and pointing to port.
Based on the crash report, location and condition of the aircraft, it was discovered to be the Beaufort A9-497 belonging to RAAF's 1 Squadron.
Operating out of Gould, about 100km south of Darwin, the aircraft conducted a range of tasks from offensive operations over Japanese-held territory in Timor-Leste, to convoy protection across the north of Australia.
On November 26, 1944, as a result of engine failure, the aircraft was forced to make an emergency water landing. All four crew members survived the risky landing and were rescued the next day.
For now, Beaufort A9-497 will remain underwater undisturbed and will be managed by the Northern Territory Government.
This discovery is just one of the many benefits of hydrographic surveying conducted by the AHO.
Hydrographic surveys add to the collective understanding of the marine environment, from discovering a historic wreck or identifying a deeper channel for safer sailing, to supporting Defence in protecting Australia's interests.
