<Page>

      AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JUNE 7, 2002
                                                           REGISTRATION NO. 333-

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                             -----------------------
                                    FORM S-8
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                        UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                             -----------------------

                               HEXCEL CORPORATION
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

           DELAWARE                                         94-1109521
(State or Other Jurisdiction of                          (I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization)                          Identification No.)

                          ----------------------------
                               TWO STAMFORD PLAZA
                              281 TRESSER BOULEVARD
                           STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT 06901
               (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

                             -----------------------

                     HEXCEL CORPORATION INCENTIVE STOCK PLAN
                            (Full Title of the Plan)

                             -----------------------

                              IRA J. KRAKOWER, ESQ.
              SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL COUNSEL AND SECRETARY
                               HEXCEL CORPORATION
                               TWO STAMFORD PLAZA
                              281 TRESSER BOULEVARD
                           STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT 06901
                                 (203) 969-0666
 (Name, Address and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)

                             -----------------------
                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<Table>
<Caption>
====================================================================================================================
       Title of                                   Proposed Maximum       Proposed Maximum
   Securities to be          Amount to be          Offering Price            Aggregate              Amount of
      Registered            Registered (1)          Per Share(2)         Offering Price(2)      Registration Fee
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>                     <C>                 <C>                       <C>
Common Stock, par               357,201                 $4.15               $1,482,384                $137
value $0.01 per share
====================================================================================================================
</Table>

(1)      This registration statement (this "Registration Statement") covers
         additional shares of Common Stock of Hexcel Corporation (the
         "Registrant") which may be offered or sold from time to time pursuant
         to the Hexcel Corporation Incentive Stock Plan (as amended, the
         "Plan"). By virtue of an amendment to the Plan, the number of shares
         issuable thereunder was increased by 357,201 shares. Pursuant to Rule
         416, this Registration Statement also covers such indeterminable number
         of additional shares of the Registrant's Common Stock as may be
         issuable pursuant to the antidilution provisions of the Plan.
(2)      Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.
         The aggregate offering price has been computed pursuant to Rules 457(c)
         and 457(h) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended on
         the basis of the average of the high and low sale prices of the
         Registrant's Common Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange
         Composite Tape on June 6, 2002, which is within five business days
         prior to filing.
<Page>

                  The Registrant has previously registered 8,850,000 shares of
its Common Stock, $0.01 par value, issuable under the Hexcel Corporation
Incentive Stock Plan (as amended, the "Plan"). This Registration Statement is
being filed pursuant to General Instruction E to Form S-8 to register an
additional 357,201 shares issuable under the Plan. The Registrant hereby
incorporates by reference Registrant's previous Form S-8 Registration Statements
(File Nos. 333-01225, 333-36163, 333-83745 and 333-46626) relating to the Plan,
as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on
February 27, 1996, September 23, 1997, July 26, 1999 and September 26, 2000,
respectively.

ITEM 8. EXHIBITS.

                  4.1      Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
                           Registrant dated June 3, 1996 (incorporated by
                           reference to Exhibit 1 to the Registrant's
                           Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated July 9, 1996
                           and incorporated herein by reference).

                  4.2      Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant dated
                           April 25, 2001 (incorporated by reference herein to
                           Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant's Registration
                           Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-66582), filed on
                           August 2, 2001).

                  4.3      Hexcel Corporation Incentive Stock Plan, as amended
                           and restated on December 19, 2000 and as further
                           amended on January 10, 2002 (incorporated herein by
                           reference to Exhibit 10.3(f) to the Registrant's
                           Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
                           December 31, 2001).

                  5.1      Opinion of Ira J. Krakower, General Counsel of Hexcel
                           Corporation, regarding legality of Common Stock
                           covered by this Registration Statement.

                  23.1     Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

                  23.2     Consent of Ira J. Krakower (included in Exhibit 5.1).

                  24.1     Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of
                           this Registration Statement).

                  99.1     Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No.
                           333-01225, relating to the Hexcel Corporation
                           Incentive Stock Plan (incorporated herein by
                           reference to Registrant's Form S-8 Registration
                           Statement, Registration No. 333-01225, dated February
                           27, 1996).

                  99.2     Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No.
                           333-36163, relating to the Hexcel Corporation
                           Incentive Stock Plan (incorporated herein by
                           reference to Registrant's Form S-8 Registration
                           Statement, Registration No. 333-36163, dated
                           September 23, 1997).

                  99.3     Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No.
                           333-83745, relating to the Hexcel Corporation
                           Incentive Stock Plan (incorporated herein by
                           reference to Registrant's Form S-8 Registration
                           Statement, Registration No. 333-83745, dated July 26,
                           1999).
<Page>

                  99.4     Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No.
                           333-46626, relating to the Hexcel Corporation
                           Incentive Stock Plan (incorporated herein by
                           reference to Registrant's Form S-8 Registration
                           Statement, Registration No. 333-46626, dated
                           September 26, 2000).

                  99.5     Strategic Alliance Agreement dated as of September
                           29, 1995 among Hexcel Corporation, Ciba-Geigy Limited
                           and Ciba-Geigy Corporation (incorporated herein by
                           reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's current
                           report on Form 8-K dated as of October 13, 1995).
<Page>

                                   SIGNATURES

                  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Stamford, State of Connecticut, on the 7th day of
June, 2002.


                                       HEXCEL CORPORATION


                                       By: /s/ IRA J. KRAKOWER
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Ira J. Krakower
                                           Senior Vice President, General
                                           Counsel and Secretary


                  KNOWN TO ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose
signature appears below constitutes and appoints Ira J. Krakower, his
attorney-in-fact, with the power of substitution, for him in any and all
capacities, to sign any amendments to this registration statement (including
post-effective amendments), and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact, or
his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
<Page>

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration
Statement has been signed below by the following persons in all capacities and
on the dates indicated.

<Table>
<Caption>
SIGNATURE                                   TITLE                                       DATE
<S>                                         <C>                                         <C>
/s/ DAVID E. BERGES                         Chairman of the Board; Chief                June 7, 2002
-----------------------------               Executive Officer; President;
David E. Berges                             Director


/s/ STEPHEN C. FORSYTH                      Executive Vice President; Chief             June 7, 2002
-----------------------------               Financial Officer
Stephen C. Forsyth


/s/ WILLIAM J. FAZIO                        Controller; Principal Accounting            June 7, 2002
-----------------------------               Officer
William J. Fazio


/s/ H. ARTHUR BELLOWS, JR.                  Director                                    June 7, 2002
-----------------------------
H. Arthur Bellows, Jr.


/s/ SANDRA L. DERICKSON                     Director                                    June 7, 2002
-----------------------------
Sandra L. Derickson


/s/ JAMES J. GAFFNEY                        Director                                    June 7, 2002
-----------------------------
James J. Gaffney


/s/ MARSHALL S. GELLER                      Director                                    June 7, 2002
-----------------------------
Marshall S. Geller


/s/ SANJEEV K. MEHRA                        Director                                    June 7, 2002
-----------------------------
Sanjeev K. Mehra


/s/ LEWIS RUBIN                             Director                                    June 7, 2002
-----------------------------
Lewis Rubin


/s/ PETER M. SACERDOTE                      Director                                    June 7, 2002
-----------------------------
Peter M. Sacerdote


/s/ MARTIN SOLOMON                          Director                                    June 7, 2002
-----------------------------
Martin Solomon
</Table>
<Page>

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBIT

4.1      Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant dated June 3,
         1996 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Registrant's
         Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated July 9, 1996 and incorporated
         herein by reference).

4.2      Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant dated April 25, 2001
         (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant's
         Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-66582), filed on August 2,
         2001).

4.3      Hexcel Corporation Incentive Stock Plan, as amended and restated on
         December 19, 2000 and as further amended on January 10, 2002
         (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3(f) to the
         Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
         December 31, 2001).

5.1      Opinion of Ira J. Krakower, General Counsel of Hexcel Corporation,
         regarding legality of Common Stock covered by this Registration
         Statement.

23.1     Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

23.2     Consent of Ira J. Krakower (included in Exhibit 5.1).

24.1     Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this Registration
         Statement).

99.1     Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-01225,
         relating to the Hexcel Corporation Incentive Stock Plan (incorporated
         herein by reference to Registrant's Form S-8 Registration Statement,
         Registration No. 333-01225, dated February 27, 1996).

99.2     Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-36163,
         relating to the Hexcel Corporation Incentive Stock Plan (incorporated
         herein by reference to Registrant's Form S-8 Registration Statement,
         Registration No. 333-36163, dated September 23, 1997).

99.3     Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-83745,
         relating to the Hexcel Corporation Incentive Stock Plan (incorporated
         herein by reference to Registrant's Form S-8 Registration Statement,
         Registration No. 333-83745, dated July 26, 1999).

99.4     Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-46626,
         relating to the Hexcel Corporation Incentive Stock Plan (incorporated
         herein by reference to Registrant's Form S-8 Registration Statement,
         Registration No. 333-46626, dated September 26, 2000).

99.5     Strategic Alliance Agreement dated as of September 29, 1995 among
         Hexcel Corporation, Ciba-Geigy Limited and Ciba-Geigy Corporation
         (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's
         current report on Form 8-K dated as of October 13, 1995).
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "a2081994zs-8.txt", "description": "S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 14934}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "HEXCEL CORP /DE/", "cik": "0000717605", "assigned-sic": "3290", "irs-number": "941109521", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-90062", "film-number": "02673884"}, "business-address": {"street1": "TWO STAMFORD PLAZA", "street2": "281 TRESSER BLVD., 16TH FLOOR", "city": "STAMFORD", "state": "CT", "zip": "06901", "phone": "203-969-0666"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "TWO STAMFORD PLAZA", "street2": "281 TRESSER BLVD., 16TH FLOOR", "city": "STAMFORD", "state": "CT", "zip": "06901"}}
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JUNE 7, 2002
                                                           REGISTRATION NO. 333-

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                             -----------------------
                                    FORM S-8
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                        UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                             -----------------------

                               HEXCEL CORPORATION
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

           DELAWARE                                         94-1109521
(State or Other Jurisdiction of                          (I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization)                          Identification No.)

                          ----------------------------
                               TWO STAMFORD PLAZA
                              281 TRESSER BOULEVARD
                           STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT 06901
               (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

                             -----------------------

                     HEXCEL CORPORATION INCENTIVE STOCK PLAN
                            (Full Title of the Plan)

                             -----------------------

                              IRA J. KRAKOWER, ESQ.
              SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL COUNSEL AND SECRETARY
                               HEXCEL CORPORATION
                               TWO STAMFORD PLAZA
                              281 TRESSER BOULEVARD
                           STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT 06901
                                 (203) 969-0666
 (Name, Address and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)

                             -----------------------
                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
====================================================================================================================
       Title of                                   Proposed Maximum       Proposed Maximum
   Securities to be          Amount to be          Offering Price            Aggregate              Amount of
      Registered            Registered (1)          Per Share(2)         Offering Price(2)      Registration Fee
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock, par               357,201                 $4.15               $1,482,384                $137
value $0.01 per share
====================================================================================================================
(1)      This registration statement (this "Registration Statement") covers
         additional shares of Common Stock of Hexcel Corporation (the
         "Registrant") which may be offered or sold from time to time pursuant
         to the Hexcel Corporation Incentive Stock Plan (as amended, the
         "Plan"). By virtue of an amendment to the Plan, the number of shares
         issuable thereunder was increased by 357,201 shares. Pursuant to Rule
         416, this Registration Statement also covers such indeterminable number
         of additional shares of the Registrant's Common Stock as may be
         issuable pursuant to the antidilution provisions of the Plan.
(2)      Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.
         The aggregate offering price has been computed pursuant to Rules 457(c)
         and 457(h) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended on
         the basis of the average of the high and low sale prices of the
         Registrant's Common Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange
         Composite Tape on June 6, 2002, which is within five business days
         prior to filing.
The Registrant has previously registered 8,850,000 shares of
its Common Stock, $0.01 par value, issuable under the Hexcel Corporation
Incentive Stock Plan (as amended, the "Plan"). This Registration Statement is
being filed pursuant to General Instruction E to Form S-8 to register an
additional 357,201 shares issuable under the Plan. The Registrant hereby
incorporates by reference Registrant's previous Form S-8 Registration Statements
(File Nos. 333-01225, 333-36163, 333-83745 and 333-46626) relating to the Plan,
as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on
February 27, 1996, September 23, 1997, July 26, 1999 and September 26, 2000,
respectively.

ITEM 8. EXHIBITS.

                  4.1      Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
                           Registrant dated June 3, 1996 (incorporated by
                           reference to Exhibit 1 to the Registrant's
                           Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated July 9, 1996
                           and incorporated herein by reference).

                  4.2      Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant dated
                           April 25, 2001 (incorporated by reference herein to
                           Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant's Registration
                           Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-66582), filed on
                           August 2, 2001).

                  4.3      Hexcel Corporation Incentive Stock Plan, as amended
                           and restated on December 19, 2000 and as further
                           amended on January 10, 2002 (incorporated herein by
                           reference to Exhibit 10.3(f) to the Registrant's
                           Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
                           December 31, 2001).

                  5.1      Opinion of Ira J. Krakower, General Counsel of Hexcel
                           Corporation, regarding legality of Common Stock
                           covered by this Registration Statement.

                  23.1     Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

                  23.2     Consent of Ira J. Krakower (included in Exhibit 5.1).

                  24.1     Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of
                           this Registration Statement).

                  99.1     Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No.
                           333-01225, relating to the Hexcel Corporation
                           Incentive Stock Plan (incorporated herein by
                           reference to Registrant's Form S-8 Registration
                           Statement, Registration No. 333-01225, dated February
                           27, 1996).

                  99.2     Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No.
                           333-36163, relating to the Hexcel Corporation
                           Incentive Stock Plan (incorporated herein by
                           reference to Registrant's Form S-8 Registration
                           Statement, Registration No. 333-36163, dated
                           September 23, 1997).

                  99.3     Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No.
                           333-83745, relating to the Hexcel Corporation
                           Incentive Stock Plan (incorporated herein by
                           reference to Registrant's Form S-8 Registration
                           Statement, Registration No. 333-83745, dated July 26,
                           1999).
99.4     Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No.
                           333-46626, relating to the Hexcel Corporation
                           Incentive Stock Plan (incorporated herein by
                           reference to Registrant's Form S-8 Registration
                           Statement, Registration No. 333-46626, dated
                           September 26, 2000).

                  99.5     Strategic Alliance Agreement dated as of September
                           29, 1995 among Hexcel Corporation, Ciba-Geigy Limited
                           and Ciba-Geigy Corporation (incorporated herein by
                           reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's current
                           report on Form 8-K dated as of October 13, 1995).
SIGNATURES

                  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Stamford, State of Connecticut, on the 7th day of
June, 2002.

                                       HEXCEL CORPORATION

                                       By: /s/ IRA J. KRAKOWER
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Ira J. Krakower
                                           Senior Vice President, General
                                           Counsel and Secretary

                  KNOWN TO ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose
signature appears below constitutes and appoints Ira J. Krakower, his
attorney-in-fact, with the power of substitution, for him in any and all
capacities, to sign any amendments to this registration statement (including
post-effective amendments), and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact, or
his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration
Statement has been signed below by the following persons in all capacities and
on the dates indicated.
SIGNATURE                                   TITLE                                       DATE
/s/ DAVID E. BERGES                         Chairman of the Board; Chief                June 7, 2002
-----------------------------               Executive Officer; President;
David E. Berges                             Director

/s/ STEPHEN C. FORSYTH                      Executive Vice President; Chief             June 7, 2002
-----------------------------               Financial Officer
Stephen C. Forsyth

/s/ WILLIAM J. FAZIO                        Controller; Principal Accounting            June 7, 2002
-----------------------------               Officer
William J. Fazio

/s/ H. ARTHUR BELLOWS, JR.                  Director                                    June 7, 2002
-----------------------------
H. Arthur Bellows, Jr.

/s/ SANDRA L. DERICKSON                     Director                                    June 7, 2002
-----------------------------
Sandra L. Derickson

/s/ JAMES J. GAFFNEY                        Director                                    June 7, 2002
-----------------------------
James J. Gaffney

/s/ MARSHALL S. GELLER                      Director                                    June 7, 2002
-----------------------------
Marshall S. Geller

/s/ SANJEEV K. MEHRA                        Director                                    June 7, 2002
-----------------------------
Sanjeev K. Mehra

/s/ LEWIS RUBIN                             Director                                    June 7, 2002
-----------------------------
Lewis Rubin

/s/ PETER M. SACERDOTE                      Director                                    June 7, 2002
-----------------------------
Peter M. Sacerdote

/s/ MARTIN SOLOMON                          Director                                    June 7, 2002
-----------------------------
Martin Solomon
EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBIT

4.1      Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant dated June 3,
         1996 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Registrant's
         Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated July 9, 1996 and incorporated
         herein by reference).

4.2      Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant dated April 25, 2001
         (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant's
         Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-66582), filed on August 2,
         2001).

4.3      Hexcel Corporation Incentive Stock Plan, as amended and restated on
         December 19, 2000 and as further amended on January 10, 2002
         (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3(f) to the
         Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
         December 31, 2001).

5.1      Opinion of Ira J. Krakower, General Counsel of Hexcel Corporation,
         regarding legality of Common Stock covered by this Registration
         Statement.

23.1     Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

23.2     Consent of Ira J. Krakower (included in Exhibit 5.1).

24.1     Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this Registration
         Statement).

99.1     Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-01225,
         relating to the Hexcel Corporation Incentive Stock Plan (incorporated
         herein by reference to Registrant's Form S-8 Registration Statement,
         Registration No. 333-01225, dated February 27, 1996).

99.2     Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-36163,
         relating to the Hexcel Corporation Incentive Stock Plan (incorporated
         herein by reference to Registrant's Form S-8 Registration Statement,
         Registration No. 333-36163, dated September 23, 1997).

99.3     Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-83745,
         relating to the Hexcel Corporation Incentive Stock Plan (incorporated
         herein by reference to Registrant's Form S-8 Registration Statement,
         Registration No. 333-83745, dated July 26, 1999).

99.4     Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-46626,
         relating to the Hexcel Corporation Incentive Stock Plan (incorporated
         herein by reference to Registrant's Form S-8 Registration Statement,
         Registration No. 333-46626, dated September 26, 2000).

99.5     Strategic Alliance Agreement dated as of September 29, 1995 among
         Hexcel Corporation, Ciba-Geigy Limited and Ciba-Geigy Corporation
         (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's
         current report on Form 8-K dated as of October 13, 1995).