As reported to the FAA. Reports are unverified, and codes are left as the FAA publishes them.
What was found
PILOT REPORTED HIS ENCODING ALTIMETER WAS INOPERATIVE ON TAKEOFF. THIS SITUATION ALSO RENDERED THE ALTITUDE ALERTER AND TRANSPONDER MODE C INOPERATIVE. EXCESS FUEL WAS BURNED OFF AND THE ACFT RETURNED TO BASE. MX REPLACED THE PILOT'S ENCODING ALTIMETER, PERFORMED A SYS LEAK CHECK, AND RECERTIFIED THE TRANSPONDER SYS. ACFT WAS THEN RELEASED FOR SERVICE.