These things definitely happen. I knock spikes off quite frequently. Four or five years ago, I bought a Psychopsis Mendenhall 'Hildos' just for the leaves because I figured that at least I would have that!
My Angraecum magdalenae's first bloom got nibbled on by something before it opened and got these little black spots on the back...that showed through and ruined the appearance. I had been looking forward to the first bloom since I got it as a small seedling!!!!
I did get to enjoy that wonderful fragrance, though.
I also recently knocked off both spikes from my Burr. Nelly Isler. Fortunately, the two buds at the bottom of one spike survived. Then there is that Brassavola nodosa. It was in spike but I don't think it is now.