The American widow of a man killed in a Hamilton Island plane crash in 2002 has lashed out at the Australian legal system after receiving “only” $500,000 in compensation yesterday.

Laura Le Gallo’s husband, Christopher, 33, was killed when the Piper Cherokee Siz he was a passenger in crashed shortly after take-off from runway 14 at Hamilton Island about 5pm, September 26, 2002. It was heading for neighboruing Lindeman Island.

The pilot, Andrew Morris, 27, and the four other people on board, the Bowles family from New Zealand (Kevin 47, wif Joanne, 46, and their children, Sophie, 9, and Michael, 6) were also killed instantly when the aircraft exploded after slamming into a hill.

Laura Le Gallow issued a lawsuit for the loss relating to the death of Christopher, and analyst at a US defence technology firm, which occurred on their honeymoon. The pair had opted to take separate flights at the last minute to allow members of the New Zealand family to travel together.

Her lawyer, Peter Carter of Carter Capner Lawyers, settled the claim and an order for the payment of $500,000, the maximum allowed under the Civil Aviation (Carrier’s Liability) Act, was filed in the Brisbane Surpeme Court Yesterday.

In a statement issued through Mr Carter, Mrs Le Gallow said: “It was a shock to me to find that unlike many other countries, full compensation is denied to victims in Australia, even in cases of reckless behaviour.

(Australia) should warn all foreign tourists that its legal system protects wrong-doers from accountability and does not allow full compensation if an air accident is caused by airline or pilot recklessness

In an investigation summary released in early 2004, the Australian Transport Satefy Bureau (ATSB) found the incident was a result of a low altitude stall, and also said the tragedy provided “an important opportunity to highlight some dangers to flight safety including post-alcohol impairment, cannabis, and fatigue.

Mrs Le Gallo said she was looking forward to a Queensland State Coroner inquest which would “answer the many questions left up in the air by the ATSB report.

“For the safety of passengers, I urge Australian aviation authorities to impose stricter and perhaps, random, monitoring of pilots to ensure they are not impeded by illicit substances,” she said.

A spokesperson for the Bowles family said their lawyer would be available for comment in relation to a compensation claim today.