The crash of an Indonesian turboprop Saturday on a domestic flight -- with early indications of more than two dozen fatalities -- follows a string of accidents in recent years that have undermined international confidence in the safety of many of the country's carriers.

Preliminary reports said the Chinese-built, propeller-powered Merpati Nusantara plane slammed into the water amid fog and rain, less than half a mile from its intended runway in Kaimana, an eastern province. Agence France-Presse quoted a rescue official saying all 27 people aboard were killed. Reuters reported that 15 bodies recovered, and more victims appeared trapped inside the wreckage.

It's too early to tell what caused the accident, and some recent Indonesian plane crashes have remained unsolved partly because onboard recorders malfunctioned or couldn't be deciphered after data was downloaded.

But aviation safety experts said Saturday's crash threatens to undercut efforts by the Indonesian government, along with its flag-carrier PT Garuda Indonesia, to persuade U.S. and European regulators about the country's aviation-safety improvements.

It also comes as Garuda prepares to join the SkyTeam group of international airline partners next year, as part of the airline's strategy to ramp up service to European destinations.