<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 1998 BROAD BASED 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>
================================================================================
                                    Proposed        Proposed
    Title of                         Maximum        Maximum
 Securities to                      Offering       Aggregate       Amount of
 be Registered     Amount to be       Price         Offering     Registration
                  Registered (1)  Per Share(2)      Price(2)          Fee
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                 <C>               <C>          <C>               <C>
Common Stock,       1,000,000         $4.15        $4,150,000        $382
par 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 1998 Broad Based Incentive Stock Plan (as amended, the
      "Plan"). By virtue of an amendment to the Plan, the number of shares
      issuable thereunder was increased by 1,000,000 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 1,100,000 shares of its
Common Stock, $0.01 par value, issuable under the Hexcel Corporation 1998 Broad
Based 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 1,000,000 shares issuable under the Plan. The Registrant hereby
incorporates by reference Registrant's previous Form S-8 Registration Statements
(File Nos. 333-57223, 333-46472 and 333-67944) relating to the Plan, as filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on June 19, 1998,
September 22, 2000 and August 20, 2001, 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 1998 Broad Based Incentive Stock Plan, as
                  amended on February 3, 2000, further amended on February 1,
                  2001 and further amended on January 10, 2002 (incorporated
                  herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4(c) 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.
                  333-57223, relating to the Hexcel Corporation 1998 Broad Based
                  Incentive Stock Plan (incorporated herein by reference to
                  Registrant's Form S-8 Registration Statement, Registration No.
                  333-57223, dated June 19, 1998).

            99.2  Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No.
                  333-46472, relating to the Hexcel Corporation 1998 Broad Based
                  Incentive Stock Plan (incorporated herein by reference to
                  Registrant's Form S-8 Registration Statement, Registration No.
                  333-46472, dated September 22, 2000).

            99.3  Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No.
                  333-67944, relating to the Hexcel Corporation 1998 Broad Based
                  Incentive Stock Plan (incorporated herein by reference to
                  Registrant's Form S-8 Registration Statement, Registration No.
                  333-67944, dated August 20, 2001).
<Page>

            99.4  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 1998 Broad Based Incentive Stock Plan, as amended on
      February 3, 2000, further amended on February 1, 2001 and further amended
      on January 10, 2002 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4(c)
      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. 333-57223, relating
      to the Hexcel Corporation 1998 Broad Based Incentive Stock Plan
      (incorporated herein by reference to Registrant's Form S-8 Registration
      Statement, Registration No. 333-57223, dated June 19, 1998).

99.2  Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-46472, relating
      to the Hexcel Corporation 1998 Broad Based Incentive Stock Plan
      (incorporated herein by reference to Registrant's Form S-8 Registration
      Statement, Registration No. 333-46472, dated September 22, 2000).

99.3  Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-67944, relating
      to the Hexcel Corporation 1998 Broad Based Incentive Stock Plan
      (incorporated herein by reference to Registrant's Form S-8 Registration
      Statement, Registration No. 333-67944, dated August 20, 2001).

99.3  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).
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{"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": "333-90060", "film-number": "02673881"}, "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 1998 BROAD BASED 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
================================================================================
                                    Proposed        Proposed
    Title of                         Maximum        Maximum
 Securities to                      Offering       Aggregate       Amount of
 be Registered     Amount to be       Price         Offering     Registration
                  Registered (1)  Per Share(2)      Price(2)          Fee
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock,       1,000,000         $4.15        $4,150,000        $382
par 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 1998 Broad Based Incentive Stock Plan (as amended, the
      "Plan"). By virtue of an amendment to the Plan, the number of shares
      issuable thereunder was increased by 1,000,000 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 1,100,000 shares of its
Common Stock, $0.01 par value, issuable under the Hexcel Corporation 1998 Broad
Based 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 1,000,000 shares issuable under the Plan. The Registrant hereby
incorporates by reference Registrant's previous Form S-8 Registration Statements
(File Nos. 333-57223, 333-46472 and 333-67944) relating to the Plan, as filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on June 19, 1998,
September 22, 2000 and August 20, 2001, 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 1998 Broad Based Incentive Stock Plan, as
                  amended on February 3, 2000, further amended on February 1,
                  2001 and further amended on January 10, 2002 (incorporated
                  herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4(c) 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.
                  333-57223, relating to the Hexcel Corporation 1998 Broad Based
                  Incentive Stock Plan (incorporated herein by reference to
                  Registrant's Form S-8 Registration Statement, Registration No.
                  333-57223, dated June 19, 1998).

            99.2  Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No.
                  333-46472, relating to the Hexcel Corporation 1998 Broad Based
                  Incentive Stock Plan (incorporated herein by reference to
                  Registrant's Form S-8 Registration Statement, Registration No.
                  333-46472, dated September 22, 2000).

            99.3  Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No.
                  333-67944, relating to the Hexcel Corporation 1998 Broad Based
                  Incentive Stock Plan (incorporated herein by reference to
                  Registrant's Form S-8 Registration Statement, Registration No.
                  333-67944, dated August 20, 2001).
99.4  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 1998 Broad Based Incentive Stock Plan, as amended on
      February 3, 2000, further amended on February 1, 2001 and further amended
      on January 10, 2002 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4(c)
      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. 333-57223, relating
      to the Hexcel Corporation 1998 Broad Based Incentive Stock Plan
      (incorporated herein by reference to Registrant's Form S-8 Registration
      Statement, Registration No. 333-57223, dated June 19, 1998).

99.2  Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-46472, relating
      to the Hexcel Corporation 1998 Broad Based Incentive Stock Plan
      (incorporated herein by reference to Registrant's Form S-8 Registration
      Statement, Registration No. 333-46472, dated September 22, 2000).

99.3  Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-67944, relating
      to the Hexcel Corporation 1998 Broad Based Incentive Stock Plan
      (incorporated herein by reference to Registrant's Form S-8 Registration
      Statement, Registration No. 333-67944, dated August 20, 2001).

99.3  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).