Ski lifts are regulated by the New Hampshire Passenger Tramway Safety Board. Mark Petrozzi, who has been sitting on the board for roughly 20 years, said the tram in question had been inspected before the accident, and it wouldn’t have been running if it had not passed that review.

Feb. 5, 2025, a representative from the ski area notified the State Fire Marshal’s Office about an evacuation of passengers on the Peabody Express Quad lift following a mechanical issue.

Cannon Mountain, a state-run ski area in Franconia, said “a bolt affixed to the power take-off shaft” on a ski lift failed.