Esp8266 SD card write/read crashing

If hadware SPI does not work than try software SPI and start like this and change the pins as needed.

var  spi = new SPI();
spi.setup({sck:NodeMCU.D2, miso:NodeMCU.D4, mosi:NodeMCU.D3});
E.connectSDCard(SPI1, NodeMCU.D8 /*CS*/);
console.log(require("fs").readdirSync());