Well the plane in LOST was actually, lost! It lost communication and position and was basically flying blind, the plane then broke up (unknown causes) and spread out over the island (On the water, on the beach and in the jungle). It is a mysterious island so technically those on board should not have survived the impact or maybe G forces involved (As the plane was falling oxygen would be getting more plentiful, so they probably would not have really passed out from starvation), however due to unknown properties and beings in the island they seemed to have survived!
Do they say on 7 when LOST will return? As at the moment it is only 7-8 episodes that have been filmed, and hence will more than likely be a split or shortened season due to the WGA Writers strike. Have heard Feb for LOST in the US, wonder if we will be about 5 weeks behind again.