-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 IWHHlOZO3x5vZ33BAmNR4BXkDCrThAmakMjN5XyUPf11fmAftHjDF2v32YQ20BEY
 gHkBONJEcyUper9OpxMcMg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-05-027331.txt : 20050520
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-05-027331.hdr.sgml : 20050520
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050520151921
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-05-027331
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050519
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050520
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050520

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HEXCEL CORP /DE/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000717605
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PLASTICS, MATERIALS, SYNTH RESINS & NONVULCAN ELASTOMERS [2821]
		IRS NUMBER:				941109521
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		TWO STAMFORD PLAZA
		STREET 2:		281 TRESSER BLVD., 16TH FLOOR
		CITY:			STAMFORD
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06901
		BUSINESS PHONE:		203-969-0666

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		TWO STAMFORD PLAZA
		STREET 2:		281 TRESSER BLVD., 16TH FLOOR
		CITY:			STAMFORD
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06901

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BECKMAN JOEL S
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001223571

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-08472
		FILM NUMBER:		05848065

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		GREENBRIAR EQUITY GROUP LLC
		STREET 2:		555 THEODORE AVE STE A201
		CITY:			RYE
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10580
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9149259600
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>b55204b4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>MAIN DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-05-19</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000717605</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>HEXCEL CORP /DE/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>HXL</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001223571</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BECKMAN JOEL S</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O GREENBRIAR EQUITY GROUP</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>555 THEODORE FREMD AVENUE, SUITE A-201</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>RYE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10580</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-05-19</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1503</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3093</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Consists of Restricted Stock Units (&quot;RSUs&quot;), commonly referred to as &quot;phantom stock,&quot; granted under the Hexcel Corporation 2003 Incentive Stock Plan.  The RSUs vest in three equal installments on the grant date (May 19, 2005) and on the first and second anniversaries of the grant date and convert into an equal number of shares of common stock on the second anniversary of the grant date, unless the grantee elects to defer conversion until such time as the grantee ceases to be a director of Hexcel Corporation.  Vesting and conversion are subject to certain acceleration and termination provisions.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">These RSUs were granted to the Reporting Person, a partner of Greenbriar Equity Group (&quot;Greenbriar&quot;), in his capacity as a director of the issuer.  Pursuant to an agreement between the Reporting Person and Greenbriar, Greenbriar has an economic interest in these options.  The Reporting Person disclaims beneficial ownership of such options except to the extent of his pecuniary interest, if any.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Joel S. Beckman</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-05-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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