DENPASAR (Indonesia) - FOUR tourists escaped unhurt on Wednesday after their helicopter pilot was forced to make an emergency landing when its engine died on the Indonesian resort island of Bali, police said.

Witnesses were said to have seen part of the aircraft's tail break before it landed in a dry rice field, according to police.

'A Bell helicopter with five people onboard had an emergency landing, but the pilot and four passengers on board were safe and unharmed,' Bali police chief Antonius Samuel Reniban told reporters.

Mr Reniban said 'according to several witnesses, including the passengers, the engine suddenly died and the pilot attempted an emergency landing. Witnesses also said that they saw the tail part of the helicopter break before (it) landed.'

He added that an investigation was being carried out to determine the cause of the accident, which occurred at Lebih beach, Gianyar subdistrict, some 25 kilometers northeast of Denpasar, Bali's main city.

A member staff at operator Air Bali, who identified herself only as Dessy, told reporters that the helicopter was used to conduct tours around the island.

The helicopter left Denpasar airport at about 10 am (0200 GMT) and made an emergency landing at around noon as it was heading back to Denpasar.

The aircraft had heavy damage on the rear part, a reporter witnessed. -- AFP