ATLANTIC CITY - Federal safety investigators said pilot error was largely to blame for a 2008 plane crash that killed six New Jersey construction executives who were working on the Revel casino project.

The corporate jet crashed July 31, 2008, while attempting to get airborne again after an aborted landing at a regional airport in Owatonna, Minn. Killed were the six construction officials and two crew members.

The plane, which took off from Atlantic City International Airport, was flying the executives to a business meeting with a Minnesota-based glass company to discuss the Revel project.

The National Transportation Safety Board, meeting Tuesday in Washington, D.C., said the pilots made a series of critical errors during their attempt at a "go-around" after the plane touched down. The pilots tried to get airborne again because the jet did not have enough distance to stop on the rain-slickened runway.

Investigators said the pilots "appeared to be in a hurry" and failed to conduct the proper checklists before attempting to land.