Among the factors hobbling accurate intensity forecasts of Otis on Tuesday: There was only one flight by the Hurricane Hunters (with just two penetrations) into Otis, and there was no Doppler weather radar available, either ground-based or from reconnaissance flights. Moreover, in the days leading up to Otis, forecast models struggled to determine whether Otis would make landfall at all. Some of the leading models kept Otis offshore for days, which matches typical hurricane behavior in this region much more closely than what actually happened.
It seems that the Hurricane Hunters (propellor-driven) are somewhat ancient & coming to the end of their life. BUT, the trouble is, I read recently that it seems that propellor-driven planes can fly into hurricane weather conditions where jet aircraft just cannot go.
The Hurricane Hunters and the instruments on board can still get better data on what is happening inside a hurricane than from satellites and radar, and there is a shortage of local radar stations in many places vulnerable to hurricanes.
It may well also be that the Hurricane Hunter pilots are a special breed, not just from training and experience in frightful weather but also with that extra something.