I dunno if anyone else has seen the definition of "Deus Ex Machina" in this dictionary but check it out:

Main Entry: de·us ex ma·chi·na
Pronunciation: 'dA-&s-"eks-'mä-ki-n&, -'ma-, -"nä; -m&-'shE-n&
Function: noun
Etymology: New Latin, a god from a machine, translation of Greek theos ek mEchanEs
1 : a god introduced by means of a crane in ancient Greek and Roman drama to decide the final outcome
2 : a person or thing (as in fiction or drama) that appears or is introduced suddenly and unexpectedly and provides a contrived solution to an apparently insoluble difficulty

That's perfect.

The plane seen in the promos is the "Deus ex Machina." Boone begins to doubt that they will ever get into the hatch (the insoluable problem). John tells him the island will "send a sign" that will allow them to do it. Then he has a dream (or "vision") of the plane crashing (which presumably happened some time before the crash of flt 815). They find the plane and possibly use the radio to gain access to the hatch.

Source:
http://tv.yahoo.com/feature/lost.html

Good theory Blamo. I've been driving myself batty all day trying to figure the new clips for tonights epi into the previews they have been showing all week.

Is the plane real or is it all a dream in Locke's head?

And what about
the body that fell out of the tree. Did anyone notice in the new clip. Right after Locke gets off the ground if you look over Boone's right shoulder it looks like something was in the grass. Maybe a person walking away, or maybe it was just the wind. Did anyone else see this?

The plane is definately real, I just don't think it was flying recently. I think Locke had a vision of something that happened before they even got there.

I looked for the thing in the grass, but I didn't see what you were describing. I think I saw a blurry spot that might have more to do with how the clip was digitally encoded. Not sure. ???

Hey, guys,
Good work with the spoiler fonts. I am so trying not to be spoiled for this epi.
Thanks!