It is not particularly unusual that a 'failure to retract' defect is traced to a warped/bent/broken or otherwise deteriorated component in the shock strut
Perhaps, but I think it is a little unusual if it turns out that it was caused by a previous heavy landing and then not picked up even though the damage is so severe that the gear actually collapses on the next touchdown, possibly it points to a deficiency in the maintenance procedure(s) for the hard land checks?
That case was an A320
Air Accidents Investigation: 4/2008 G-BXKD
Thanks, that was actually the incident I had in mind although I think I may have also got it slightly confused with the BMI A330 that
BOAC mentioned. Did that one also have very similar problems and go undetected?
I'll have a look for the Monarch report, I don't think I remember that one.