Rotorua skyride breakdown remains a mystery

Experts have been unable to determine what caused a wire rope to snap on the gondolas at Skyline Skyrides in Rotorua in April.

They believe the incident, which sparked a dramatic rescue of 90 passengers, may have been caused by metal fatigue or a defect in a rope holding the counterweight.

Occupational Safety and Health regional manager Murray Thompson said he could not guarantee it would not happen again, but the department was confident the company had taken all reasonable steps to prevent it recurring.

The rope met all the regulations.