On April 15, 2004, at 1728 central daylight time, an Aeronica 7AC, N2908E, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with wires and Defeated Creek, while maneuvering in the vicinity of Carthage, Tennessee. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial damage. The private pilot and one passenger reported minor injuries. The flight originated from Sparta, Tennessee, on April 15, 2004, at 1630. The pilot stated he was flying at 1,500 feet in the vicinity of the river. He started a turn when his passenger stated, "watch the wires." The airplane collided with two of four wires and the water in Defeated Creek. He and his passenger exited the airplane unassisted and swam to shore. The pilot stated he should have been more alert about his surroundings. The pilot did not report a mechanical problem with the airplane before it collided with the wires and the water.