Yep. I think that there are a number of factors. As a chain is used it will be weaker, stretched, get looser/flexible. And a few bad shifts add up until it goes. If the chain is new it probably will break the hanger first, or the derailleur, or all three. I did it once when I was stupid and didn't setup for the terrain change on my mountain bike. Broke chain and made the derailleur and easy to pack two piece model. Steel frame so it bent the hanger. Thankfully the wheel (spokes) were okay.
Second stupid thing I did was toss out the B spring assembly and the clip, which I could use.
John