NY Attorney Jonathan Reiter Speculates on Bell 206 Crash

A New York City attorney has placed an ad through an online PR firm, exploiting the fatal October 4 helicopter crash of a Bell 206 in the East River to solicit clients for his liability practice. The ad is an egregious example of how to use speculation to imply blame before any facts are in.

New York City Accident Attorney Jonathan C. Reiter has prepared the ad to mimic the look of a news story, in which he quotes or credits himself eight times, in roles which vary between an "aviation attorney" and an expert source who's narrowed down the likely cause of the accident to two possibilities which conveniently position the aircraft owner and the pilot as targets for a negligence case.

Ads placed through PR firms are used by manufacturers without their own internal media relations departments when they need to distribute word of a product release, promotion or other news. The PR forms distribute the releases to a wide list of media outlets, which are generally staffed by people experienced enough to know when they're being had. But every so often, a media outlet or blogger not well-versed in aviation will mistake an ad like Reiter's for a legitimate news story and circulate it more widely.

The legal profession even has its own PR news release firm, Justice News Flash, which gets paid to distribute ads. From the firm's website, "With JusticeNewsFlash.com, lawyers, journalists, and other professionals have the opportunity to provide breaking news to their communities using an easy to access, convenient medium...the company understands the increased need for effective lawyer marketing & public relations and uses their expertise to take promotions to the next level."

The NTSB has heard from witnessed that the helicopter had just taken off from the 34th Street Heliport when it seemed to lose power, began spinning and impacted the water. The pilot, Paul Dudley, managed to pull himself to shore. Three passengers were rescued from the water, but one was trapped in the wreckage for about an hour under 50 feet of water, and died.

Dudley is also the manager of the Linden Airport (KLDJ) in New Jersey. From Reiter's news release, "A mechanical failure occurring immediately upon take-off is likely a sign of poor maintenance of the helicopter, a poor pre-flight check by the pilot or both, according to New York aviation attorney Jonathan C. Reiter. The maintenance records for this helicopter will certainly be gone over thoroughly by the NTSB."

The NTSB's actual finding of probable cause will not be admissible in any civil liability suit, leaving Reiter's speculation at trial to stand unchallenged by the outcome of the actual investigation.

The news release continues, in part, "Airline crashes and private plane crashes are extremely traumatic, and often leave family members confused, stunned and overwhelmed...If you or a loved one have been involved in an aviation accident, New York City aviation attorney Jonathan C. Reiter can help..."

If you or a loved one would like to find out more about one probable cause of the bloated cost of your next airplane, click the FMI link below.

FMI: www.wiredprnews.com/2011/10/12/new-york-city-aviation-attorney-chopper-crash-kills-1-injures-2_2011101223037.html