An unexpected development during a test flight led to the explosion of the world’s first passenger spacecraft, Virgin’s SpaceShipTwo, and has resulted in the death of, at least, one pilot. Authorities and Virgin Galactic are currently investigating.

The spacecraft experienced an “anomaly,” which led to its crash into the California desert, according to Reuters. The spacecraft was undergoing its first powered flight since January and took off from the Mojave Air and Space Port. Virgin Galactic took to Twitter to update on the situation.

The suborbital spaceship is designed to bring passengers up to 62 miles above the ground, high enough to see the roundness of the Earth contrasted by the darkness of space.

Two pilots were onboard when the incident happened. Though Virgin Galactic did not update on the pilots’ status on Twitter, the BBC reports that one of the pilots is confirmed to be dead.

The California Highway Patrol has said that one of the pilots is dead while the other is injured. Helicopters flying over the crash site took photos of what appears to be wreckage from the spacecraft.

Speaking to NBC News, photographer Ken Brown said the spaceship exploded after being released from its carrier plane, the WhiteKnightTwo. Virgin Galactic confirmed on Twitter the carrier plane landed safely.

Both the National Transportation and Safety Board and the FAA will investigate the incident.

British Billionaire Richard Branson, who owns Virgin Galactic and has invested in the idea of space tourism, has not made any comment.