Abstract: By means of macroscopic examination, combined with SM, OES, OM, SEM and so on, the fractured wire rope for tower crane has been analyzed. The results show that there are old fracture surfaces and extrusion wear on the rope, which remarkably degraded the bearing capacity of the wire rope. This means that the remaining normal wires were not enough to withstand the load and the wire rope ultimately fractured. Some suggestions have been put forward, including regularly inspecting wire rope, timely replacing the unqualified out-of-standard wire rope, maintaining the wire rope with a reasonable lubrication method during service, and avoiding any damage of wire rope during the storing and transferring process.